When I finally convinced Leigh Powell, Business Strategist and Mentor, to join the YTM , I knew that his expertise in Business Strategy and Mentoring would allow us to increase the opportunities  to help and support business owners and professionals and add "Think Tank" to our programs.

We both grew up in  families involved in small business and witnessed first hand how challenging it can be.  Sometimes you are not sure which way to jump and need to be able to bounce ideas around with others who understand or have faced similar situations.  We also know that is important to set aside time to work "on" your business.

An integral part of marketing in 2018, is the concept of narratives and story telling in making clients feel 'you are for me'.  You want your clients thinking "you understand me and can help me" from the stories you share.

My past experience definitely has equipped me to help my clients build bigger and better businesses by seeking conversations that move them towards their goals. 

I know how to create communities,  develop conversations, see connections and share knowledge.

Life is precious. Our time is precious and relationships play a massive role in our success.  Who has influenced you, your relationships and your business?

Recently, I attended two funerals of women aged in their 90’s.

One of the favourite questions at YTM networking events is "Tell me a story about a client you have helped so I can understand your business better".

Have  you heard stories that really resonate with you?  Stories that offer solutions, stories that bring you joy.  Stories that illustrate  moments that you can clearly relate to your life and that impact on others?

All businesses seek suppliers, clients, referrers and friends.  In YTM's case we also seek Sponsors and Partners.    Today I would like to introduce you to  someone who fits into every one of these categories and is a strong collaborator with YTM as we blend networking together,  online and face to face.   Karen Hollenbach will also be speaking at YTM  on the 20th March in Brighton...

Now is a good time to think about  and plan your networking activity  and marketing strategy for the coming year. A good starting point as you review what you have done in the past, is really knowing and revisiting who your ideal client is.

This month, I'd like to introduce you to one of my network who I have known since my business began.  Braith Bamkin, is the executive director of BNI Melbourne Central, West and Geelong, who also desribes himself as   "The Target Market Guy". 

We both belonged to a Brighton BNI Chapter. when we connected.  I was operating YTM in a slightly different capacity, helping busy  professionals and organisations  find the solution they needed to make their personal and business life easier (actually, I still do that but from a different base!) and Braith was a housing marketing manager for a mattress business.

The year is well and truly moving along. In the blinkof an eye we move from December to February!   Over the holidays, I had many discussions with my husband and YTM Business Mentor, Leigh Powell on what YTM had achieved in 2017 and the direction we would take in  2018.  All businesses need to review their strategies and the start of the year is a great time. Infact we have a "Goal Setting and Accountability" Workshop scheduled for the 13th February , if you need some guidence. 

YTM prides itself in providing a welcoming and safe community for business owners and professionals to come together for conversations, connections and insights without the pressure of a strict and repetitive agenda.  The different formats provide an effective structure that  encourages authentic  conversations and generates leads and opportunities for those that invest the time in relationships, over transactions.

in order to build a bigger and better business, there are 2 key elements a business owner needs to focus on in determining “Worth” to others. Combined, these elements will shape the way you consider how you prospect with existing and new clients by translating “what you do” into “ choose me and this is how your business will benefit”

Networking is cost effective marketing.  But is it?   

You attend weekly networking breakfast and you squeeze in at least one other event each week.  Your networking! Not necessarily,  you may be creating visibility and making a few connections, but are you using your precious time wisely?

What are you doing over the holidays?  Perhaps you are staying at home, spending time in the country or along the coast, travelling to distant places, maybe staying in some luxury resort or joining more than 300,000 people who on any one night of the year are out making the most of a caravan or camping holiday in Australia .

Did you know that in Victoria the Caravan and Camping Industry is a 1.5 billion dollar industry?  Employing five and a half thousand people. Currently Victoria produces 90% of all the recreational vehicles built in Australia, making in excess of 20,000 new units a year.

One of the things I love most about my business, Your Time Matters, is the people I meet, and the stories I hear, often simply by chance.  I believe we can learn so much from the experience and knowledge of others and our lives are enriched and our eyes opened as we connect and engage with others, who have faced challenges and found solutions.

Recently, we held a YTM Progressive Dinner.  This event provided business owners and professionals present with an opportunity to meet and hear from Jane Seymour, from Mount Zero Olives. 

As a business owner we learn so much from the knowledge and experience of others. 

Part of YTM’s  unique business networking formulae is to provide opportunity for you , the business owner and professional to learn, grow and achieve.  We combine various elements so you make the most of the precious time you invest at our events. 

This morning I had a tradesman visit my home . I asked him how he managed everything when he was on holidays . He told me that you can shut down your website and leave your emails unanswered until you come back. What a missed opportunity! I enquired what would happen if he broke his leg and couldn't work...what would happen? He had no systems or processes in place.   He needs to meet our next speaker! 

Translating an idea into action is hard. Walking the bridge between idea and outcome is called taking a Risk. When you take a Risk your blood runs a little faster through your veins mixing a fear of failure with a hope that “this idea of mine could actually work”! The real battlefield is when you are deciding whether to take action and too often I find the enemy within (glass half empty) wins the day by broadcasting “what if my idea fails or captures only my imagination and nobody else’s?”

At the end of last year’s event program I asked the YTM community what it is they value about regularly attending YTM events, being part of our Think Tanks, helping them develop their networking strategies and inviting us to work with their teams.

A consistent theme was how much our professional community enjoys the opportunity to learn from others. Our unique approach means you can learn from our guest speakers and have enough time and a safe format to engage in more meaningful conversations with other professionals about your business.

Business owners need to answer this question as a fundamental test of the viability of their business proposition.

This article is the second in a series of articles that will track the sequence of things a business owner, existing or start up, needs to solve to build a bigger better business. The first article was how to get How to get paid based on your worth!