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Category Archives for Business Networking

Three Reasons Why You Could Benefit From A Public Policy Course

It may be a cliché to say that the world around us is changing at an incredible rate, but that does not make it any less true. Current events are throwing challenge after challenge at businesses and consumers alike, as everyone tries to deal with everything from rising energy bills to ongoing disputes about what is and what is not related to Brexit. Digital technology is developing incredibly quickly, making it easier than ever for people to be connected and updated, and for criminals to access confidential information and finances. In the midst of all of this, how we understand and communicate public policy is absolutely vital. Here are just a few reasons why you could benefit from a public policy course.

 

1. Public Policy Is A Broader Subject Than You May Realise

One of the most important areas that most businesses, non-profits, and organisations need to work on is communication. Delivering public policy that conveys your messaging in a way that everyone who needs to understand it will be able to understand is absolutely essential. A course in public policy can help you to understand more than crafting accessible communication. It can help you to gain a more focused understanding of everything from economics to how governments work.

 

2. Public Mistrust Is Widespread

Over the last few years, one of the most widespread trends we have seen is the mistrust of experts and politicians. While the latter may be less recent, it is arguably as fervent as it has ever been. If you work in an area that is impacted by public policy, it is going to be vital you understand how this issue can impact your decision-making and communication. A good public policy analysis course will show you how you can incorporate this sense of mistrust into your communications and strategies to ensure that you deliver a message that people can trust. With policy failure factors such as broken promises and a wildly unpredictable political cycle to consider, you need to prepare.

 

3. A Course Can Help You Level Up Your Skill Set

Given how quickly things are moving right now, it can be easy to feel like you are behind. It does not matter how long you have been in a role for, whether you are just starting out on the career ladder or have years in this position under your belt. There will always be times when you feel the need to level up, especially with digital skills in short supply. There is only so much you can do when trying to learn on the job, and the last thing that you want is to be caught out by a lack of knowledge. Dedicating time and energy to a respected online course will make sure you not only have the grounding in the essentials, but understand the forces that are changing the world around us and how they impact public policy.

AUTHOR: Isabelle Goode

 

 

 

Three More Business Reasons To Switch To Outsourcing Today

Outsourcing elements of your business is a great way to cut costs while maintaining the same level of service and output. You can even increase your production rates and sales with the right outsourcing. Here are three more reasons why businesses should consider outsourcing parts of their company today.

It Streamlines Management

The biggest benefit to businesses and management that outsourcing can bring is taking distracting elements of the business off your plate so you can concentrate on what matters; growth and profitability. Cleaning and maintenance are good examples of this. Though crucial, managing these departments can also be time-consuming and they do not directly add value to the business, its products, or its services.

Outsourcing these departments can save money, and improve the level of service you and your business receive. SMC Premier has decades of experience in handling cleaning and building services for a variety of sectors and industries, including the medical industry. Their high standards can have a massive positive effect on the appearance of your property, while also being more convenient and cost-effective than managing and supplying your own cleaning crew.

It Adds Value To Your Business

The key to retaining customers and turning them into advocates for your business is value. The more value your products and services offer, the more your customers will sing your praises to family and friends, helping to increase your customer base. Outsourcing tasks like reception desk work, customer care, and accounting can all add value to your company and the products and services you offer.

This helps you to retain your customer base and grow by giving them a higher level of service without an increased cost. You get more profit from each sale, and happy customers, without having to put in extra work or spend additional money. It is easy to see why outsourcing has become so popular with the advantages it offers businesses.

It Saves You Money

A penny saved is a penny earned. If you want to give your balance sheet a boost and cut some expenditures off your profit and loss statement, then you should see where you can switch to outsourcing. It can make parts of your business much more cost-effective to run, and easier to expand.

Outsourcing can be incredibly cost-effective, especially for growing businesses. When businesses increase sales and swell their customer base it can put departments in the company under pressure, and you can struggle to hire new workers to keep up with your rate of expansion. Outsourcing companies can grow with your business, increasing the number of their staff that serve your company to match your growth. This is on top of the savings and efficiencies that outsourcing already offers.

Take a long, hard look at your business and consider what areas could be outsourced. Making this simple switch can save money, give customers a higher standard of service, and create the capacity for growth. You also get more of what money cannot buy; time. Outsourcing gives managers and executives more time to spend concentrating on sales and growth instead of staffing and work schedules. Start switching to outsourcing today and you will quickly see the difference it can make to your business and your balance sheet.

AUTHOR: Isabelle Goode

 

 

 

Why T-shirts Can Be a Powerful Marketing Tool for Your Business

Offline marketing remains a powerful marketing option, especially since a lot of businesses have turned to digital marketing. When many people think about offline marketing they think about TV, radio and newspaper ads, pamphlets, direct mail, billboards, and other marketing channels that are not anchored on the internet. What many businesses fail to realise is that t-shirt marketing can be incredibly powerful if used right. Here’s why.

They Are an Affordable Option

Printing t-shirts in bulk has become very affordable in recent years as technology has advanced and the number of companies doing it has increased. Businesses that choose this option get to save money while getting their campaigns going without much fuss. This is because there is little else to do after the printing apart from handing the t-shirts to stakeholders, customers, fans, and anyone else who wants one. The business then realises the advantage of having their name out in the public because everyone wearing the t-shirt is essentially marketing the business passively.

They Increase Your Reach Exponentially

Reach is an essential component in any marketing campaign; the more people a business can reach, the higher the potential return on investment in their campaign. The people who wear your t-shirts are free to go wherever they like wearing them. This means they take your business and brand to places that your marketing message and team might not be able to go. In essence, you have hundreds or thousands of “billboards” all advertising your business at the affordable cost of printing the t-shirts.

You Can Use Eye-catching Designs for Better Results

Options like screen printing and embroidery mean you can add eye-catching designs to the t-shirts for even better results. Use your logo if you have an eye-catching one, add your slogan, showcase your mascot or add any message you like (as long as it is legal) to catch the attention of everyone who sees someone wearing your t-shirts.

Screen printing and embroidery are both great options because they are fast, cost-effective and produce high-quality designs. Businesses who want to leverage t-shirt marketing can get in touch with companies like Screen Textiles who can print and embroider your message on different types of t-shirts depending on your preferences.

Longevity

T-shirts are also a great option because they last long and are something people are less likely to throw away immediately. We have all received pens or notebooks that we ended up not using because of their quality or for other reasons. A t-shirt is something people wear all the time and is useful in lots of cases, such as when one visits the gym or needs something casual to wear for a trip to the grocery store.

They Will Outlast Your Campaign

Marketing is all about constant engagement. T-shirts are great tools for this because they outlast your campaign and even the interactions you had with the people who end up wearing them. Because of this, they remain effective marketing tools for a very long time.

T-shirt marketing can be an important part of your offline or traditional marketing strategy. Just ensure they are of sufficient quality so that people want to wear them, and are designed to be as attention-grabbing as possible.

AUTHOR: Isabelle Goode

Why Freelancing Is The Perfect Career Choice For Women In Today’s Market

If you’re a woman looking for a career change, or you’re considering setting up a side hustle to earn some extra disposable income, then you might be wondering how freelancing can benefit you. After all, it’s easy to see freelancing as an area that requires extensive specialist skills that you may not possess. Luckily, more and more women are entering the freelance industry with the ambition and drive to prove that freelancing is for everyone, and in this article, we’ll be discussing why it’s actually the perfect career choice for women in today’s volatile market.

A Welcoming Community

With the UK being home to over 2.2 million freelancers, it’s no surprise that the community of individuals working for themselves is thriving. Thanks to the rise of freelancing websites like Fiverr and Upwork, freelancers can effortlessly connect with one another online, and this makes for a vibrant and welcoming community that is continually working to lift each other up. For many women, especially those raising children at home, having an accessible online community like this is a great way to make new friends, boost their skills, and feel part of a family of like-minded people.

The Freedom To Choose

Easily one of the best elements of freelancing for women is the freedom of choice that it provides. Long gone are the days where you’d be stuck at work during the school run or rushing out of the door every morning to get to work on time without even the chance to wave your little ones goodbye. Thanks to the flexibility offered by freelancing, women can ensure that they have time for themselves and their children, which is a great option for those wishing to home-school their kids or save money on childcare arrangements. Having the freedom to choose your working hours and location makes this career perfect for busy women who need to fit their working hours around other commitments.

Financial Security

Finally, the financial security offered by freelancing is a great benefit that can support women as they navigate the rising cost of living and its impact on UK families. Freelancing as a side hustle, or even a full-time job, is a great way to bring in some extra cash and have a higher level of disposable income each month. There are some great guides online around making freelance finances easy, so there’s never been a better time to get involved and see what freelancing can do for your wallet.

If you’re hoping to start freelancing, but you need some additional financial support, then you can compare personal loans that might give you the boost you need to start your business. Quotezone can provide quotes from over 50 lenders who want to support individuals who are growing in the freelance market, and these lenders welcome individuals whose credit score or lending history might not be perfect – if you compare personal loans on Quotezone, you can receive quotes from lenders that are right for you.  

Thanks to the ongoing challenges that women can face in the traditional workplace, it’s no surprise that more and more of them are turning to freelancing to make a good wage in a secure working environment. The benefits of freelancing for women are huge – being able to choose your hours and location while being financially secure and part of a larger, welcoming community makes freelancing a great choice for women in today’s market.

AUTHOR: Isabelle Goode

What Steps You Can Take To Modernise Your Business

When you are running a business, it is important that you always think of ways to keep your business modern and up to date. Running a business in 2022 can be difficult, especially with the effects of the pandemic still lingering, so you must always be aware of what changes may need to be made to your business. So, if you are a business leader and want to modernise your business, here are some steps you can take.

Update The Office Space

One of the first things you can do to modernise your business is to update the office space. If your business has been operating in the same office for quite some time, then it is likely that it is in need of an update. Giving your office a revamp is a simple step that can make a big difference. It would be a good idea to first start with updating the office furniture so that everyone has somewhere comfy to work. Another good idea would be to ask for suggestions from your employees. Your employees are going to be the ones who will be spending most of their week in the office, so it would be a good idea to get their input on what needs changing.

Provide More Training

The next step to consider when modernising the office is providing more training to your staff. Your employees are a crucial part of your business, so you need to make sure that they are properly trained. As the business world continues to develop, more and more skills are needed to get by. This means that you need to provide regular training to your staff so that they can keep up with the modern world. The training doesn’t necessarily have to be complex either. It could be something as simple as teaching them how to find resources online that can make their jobs a bit easier. For example, there are tools that allow you to change file format, which could make it easier to share or use. If you find out that they do need some more intense training, then perhaps set aside a couple of full days so you can all go through it together.

Allow Some Remote Work

Another great step you can take for your business is to allow some remote work. Since the pandemic, remote work has become a permanent place in some business and others have chosen to adopt the hybrid model instead. If your business is solely office-based, you could be missing out on many potential employees. Allowing some remote work means that you are able to hire anyone from across the country, which gives you a lot more choice.

Market Research

When it comes to running a successful business, one of the most important things is keeping your customers happy. Doing market research is a proven way of modernising your business as you are getting a good insight into what your customers like and dislike about your business. It would be a good idea to ask your customers to complete a survey or write a review once they have used your services, so you can get a good idea of what changes need to be made.

 AUTHOR: Isabella Goode

 

 

5 Elegant Ways To Enhance Your Exhibition Stand Layout For Your Show

The success of an exhibition is determined by several factors aside from the product or services being displayed. Exhibitors all over the world no doubt have one thing in common, and that is having a perfect and successful exhibition at the end of the day. 

When it comes to the success of a display show, the exhibition stand design plays an important role. The exhibition stand layout is often repeatedly overlooked; however, a well-designed layout invites customers to explore your display.

A poorly designed one does the opposite, so a bespoke exhibition stand layout is a must to avoid turning potential customers away from your booth. Here is a list of suggestions for improving your exhibition stand for your next show.

Have a Well-Defined Brand Strategy

What do you want your visitors to see? This should be the backbone of your planning for the exhibition. Your stand should be used effectively to display your brand. The stand layout, theme, colour, and text should complement the brand. A clear brand strategy will help you organise your display and make it easy for attendees to identify your booth.

Offer Something Distinctive

Another way to enhance Your exhibition stand for your show is to intensify the value of your stand. This means giving your target audience something different from what your competitors have. Your stand should be different and eye-catching, and a branded uniform can help.

Wearing a branded uniform projects professionalism and makes your stand and team easy to locate. You could also offer gift bags, giveaways, a coffee cart, or invite a reputable guest speaker to your stand.

Your stand designer also plays a huge role in ensuring that your stand is unique. A professional exhibition stand design isn’t generic or simple. You want your stand to be unique, so you should go for only the best.

Make Use of Interactive Elements On Your Stand

Interactive elements are an excellent way to engage your audience. Now, this doesn’t require much. Simply adding a product demonstration where your attendees can view and ask questions or a competition where your visitors get to win certain prizes will do.

Go For The Right Lighting

Lightning attracts, so you are bound to attract visitors when used correctly at your exhibition stand. Proper lighting can make a lot of difference in your exhibition stand design, so it is worth taking advantage of. 

As bright lighting enhances your stand and attracts visitors, while dim or poor lighting deters visitors. Backlighting is one of the current trends for expo stands. This technique involves placing lights behind a fabric panel, signage, or frames to light them up. 

Make Use of Technology 

Technology, when used correctly, can be an intriguing element in your stand. There are several eye-catching technologies you can use to enhance your stand, like adding a video wall where the company’s stories and other engaging videos are displayed. You can also use virtual reality or augmented reality to engage your audience and enhance your exhibition stand.

Conclusion 

Like the products or services on display, your exhibition stand speaks to your target audience. As you can see, it’s not just a wooden structure. Hopefully, you now understand how to improve your exhibition stand in just a few simple steps. Setting up your stand for your next expo would be less tiresome and more unique with these tips.

AUTHOR: Isabella Goode

 

 

Speednetworking

MEGA SpeedNetworking

A great opportunity for business owners, those aspiring and career people to meet and have maximum contacts in minimum time. Guys 'n' Gals - all welcome.

5.00 PM - 7.00 PM THURSDAY 4 APRIL 2019

Venue directions
The Atrium
upper mall near M&S and Hobbs
The Glades, High Street, Bromley, BR1 1DN
plenty of parking on-site and around

47
Days
00
Hours
29
Minutes
32
Seconds

Networking with a difference 

Everyone you meet will have their own wide network of colleagues, business partners, clients, suppliers and professional advisers, as well as acquaintances and closer friends, just like you. 

We're talking worthwhile connections - you never know who knows who...

Preparation
1.    Prepare beforehand to gain most from your time.  Think about your objective, whether this is obtaining specific advice or bringing in new business.
2.    Have clear and measurable goals, eg you might need to find someone to help you solve a business problem you have, or is collaboration your aim?
3.    Rehearse your "presentation" with clear focus so that you give all the necessary information for your objective within the 30 seconds allowed.
 A free handy guide is available when you book - just click the RED button.
You'll be surprised how much detail can be given in 30 seconds!
4.    Bring a load of business cards, flyer, diary, pen and paper.

and be prepared to have fun!
Please arrive no later than 4.45 pm to make a prompt start at 5.00 pm

?This event is open to all (guys 'n' gals) booking in advance only,
just click the RED button below

Cardinal Sin & Speednetworking!

I suppose it’s a bit like Father Christmas….. "He’s making a list, he’s checking it twice"… and that’s where the similarity stops, with me that is.

For every event, we/I have a check list:

  • Perspex stands - A4 and A5
  • Balloons
  • Roller bannersx 2 1230 TWC
  • Blue Tack
  • Brown tape

And so it goes on… and this gets checked as the items are brought out and as they are assembled prior to loading a vehicle/leaving the office

Except for my recent trip to the Make It Happen Conference in Marbella, Spain.

I
forgot
my
hooter!!!


business networking

I won’t bore you with the reasons why this happened, but it was an essential item for me to run the speednetworking session at the Make It Happen Conference.

On arriving at my hotel I set off in hot pursuit of a replacement (“hot” being the operative word, since it was an 80o day) - not even unpacking my case - no time, as it was just 2.5 hrs to the networking party that evening, and the Conference was the following day with 7.30 am start!!!!


toddler bicycle

Thinks…. There’s a primary school nearby, I wonder if they have a bicycle with said horn on that I could borrow? Just for a day. Seemed inspirational! Now you need to know that my Spanish is non-existent… well, I can say “please” and “thank you” and order chicken and chips – that’s just about it, oh and sparkling water.

I will leave it to your imagination as to how the conversation went with the teaching staff, suffice to say I came away empty handed, and they wondering who this totally insane English woman was!

So a quick phone call to Ali for shop suggestions, 1 hour later proved unfruitful. Must have lost some weight though in the hot running around - so a positive there! Dear Patrick (Ali’s OH) came to the rescue and saved the day with a choice of 2 hooters.

And I think you can say that the Speednetworking was a success!


hooter business

Toot Toot!

Business: I’m not precious!

No, really… I’m not, honestly…… I mean it….. I’m NOT!

Sometimes I get asked why I don’t give a 1-minute talk at the 1230 The Women’s Company business meetings.

The answer is really simple

As the MD of 1230 The Women's Company, I'm always delighted to attend many of the business networking meetings, particularly where, with a whoop and a holler, the 1230 TWC Host will have introduced me at the beginning of the meeting and, to quote the wonderful Caroline Hewitt, “bigged me up!” Some attendees will already know me, some not.

Remember…. I‘m NOT precious. But that introduction gives me a warm glow, because it introduces me to so many awesome business women.

Attending so many meetings in different locations, enables me to cross-refer attendees.  Notice I say "attendees"?  Yes, of course, our Members always get preferential treatment, but if I can see a connection for anyone attending 1230 TWC meetings, I will make that connection for them.

As 1230 TWC is my business, I can give a talk at any meeting for 1 minute, 2 minutes, 20 minutes, 2 hours – however long I like – remember, I’m not precious.


Networking, about you, business women

The opportunity to give a 1 minute talk at 1230 TWC meetings is
YOUR moment to shine;
YOUR moment in the spotlight,
YOUR moment to let everyone know about what
YOU and YOUR business offer.

I’m not precious about me, but my business and those who attend are precious and YOU are precious. And I’m delighted to know you all.

I'm not precious
YOU - ARE!

See, I said it was simple!

So why not book in now and have your moment to shine!

 

Bagontour

 

#BagonTour – Bet you’d like one too!

I have a new, beautiful leather handbag, a Roanne Tote bag to be precise, to be even more precise – a handbag from the Shona Easton Design Studio! You can tell I’m delighted with it, can’t you?

Shona Easton

It’s a practical size, made in grainy calf leather in a fabulous pink colour – of course, and is much admired wherever I go. So what can I get inside, quite a lot actually. Mobile phone, which slips nicely into its own pocket, keys have their own secure clip, my purse also has its own pocket, I use the zip pocket for make-uppy bits, tablets, couple of pens and there are 2 large slip pockets – all in a beautiful deep rose taffeta lining. Those of you who know me well, know that I’m a belt and braces person, so my Filofax goes in as well, notebook, 1230 TWC business cards, currently promo cards for Business Women in Action Conference and 1230 TWC Note Cards.  I can tuck all my bits and pieces safely inside and zip everything in with a secure zip with lock and key fastening.  Also, I can conveniently carry the bag, handbag style, or slip it over my shoulder.

The designer (or Bag Lady, as she is affectionately known), Shona Easton tends to float between the Guildford and London 1230 TWC meetings, that's when she's not designing or visiting her overseas manufacturers. So why not come along and find out what else she has to offer. Shona is also speaking at the Business Women in Action Conference on 4 November.

Just check out the video to see where we've been together!

 

Bagontour