Systems must be put in place, she says, to achieve pre-defined measurable results at any point of time, and they are without doubt the key to organised, effective, cost managed businesses.

A business consultant for the past two years, Ana helps small-to-medium operations to increase sales and profit by at least 35 per cent in between 90 to 120 days or less.

Most business owners she speaks to believe the whole marketing concept is somewhat overwhelming and that they have to invest large amounts of money in a similar way to the big corporations.

“They attribute the meaning of the word marketing to advertising and as a result they remain stuck in their comfort zone following the trend of promotion and marketing simply because it is considered common practice,” she says.

Her answer for business owners who come to her for advice is that effective marketing comes from
down–to–earth solutions and methods such as attracting new customers, keeping the existing ones but making them come back more often and to increasing the value of every sale made.

At the age of 10 years Ana left Wollongong with her parents who were from Portugal and returned 21 years later. In Portugal she was employed by a local city council and became involved in marketing, translation, assisting the mayor and taking on the day–to–day operations of the organisation.

Deciding to take some leave and return to Australia for a holiday, Ana attended the Better Business Institute where she obtained a licence to open her own business and GBD Marketing was the outcome.

She helped establish the business, which she operates from her home at Lake Heights, by cold calling on prospective customers, direct mail-outs and the like, and even today she promotes GBD Marketing along the same lines as well as establishing joint ventures and strategic alliances.

Shortly she will become involved in public speaking to further promote her business and her theories on marketing and necessary company–customer relationships.

Ana says that she concentrates on trying to help small-to-medium size businesses and always stresses the need for them to have proper marketing practices in place.

“Only by doing this will they be able to accept the issues they are currently facing and ultimately be ready to make serious changes that will result in an opportunity to achieve both financial freedom and happiness in their lives,” she says.

Writing poetry is a hobby

Ana says that one of her hobbies has been writing poetry, all of which is currently in the Portuguese language and which will be translated into English in time.

She also loves cooking and reading and catching up with friends at the nearby Portuguese Club where she hopes to become more active in the future.

A trip to the beach or a quiet drive around, where you can clear your mind of things, for new ideas are also favourite pastimes, she says.

And as her business grows Ana will continue to spread the gospel that any business owner should acknowledge that their operation is an undeniable reflection on the way they live, and ultimately the way they relate to others on a daily basis.

“I just wonder how many business owners set aside a couple of hours a week on focused, uninterrupted time to work on their business?” she asks.

Ana can be contacted for a free appointment on 4276 3514 or you can check out her on www.GBDMarketing.net