Benefits of attending networking events include:
• Being able to promote your product or service to new clients and/or customers
• Educate yourself on new or innovative business strategies. Most networking events have high profile guest speakers who present information on generic business topics (marketing, increasing profitability etc). So, no matter what type of business you have, you will learn something.
• Make new business alliances – meet up with other business services that can help you and your business.
• A chance to work ‘on’ your business instead of ‘in’ your business.
• Check out what your competitors are up too.
• Step outside your business (literally) and check out what the rest of the business world is doing.
• Partake in some refreshments – most provide catering
We have numerous networking events running in the Illawarra on a weekly, fortnightly and monthly basis. If you have never attended any networking events before, my suggestion would be to attend all of them at least once, and then work out which one is the right one for you - which one is going to bring you the most benefit.
Networking does cost in both time and money and you should ensure that you are prepared (take heaps of business cards), but they can be fun and informative and bring in lots of business referrals and sales.
I have prepared some Tips on Attending Networking Events that I am happy to send to you. I also have a list of the latest networking events taking place in the Illawarra.
2008 INTEGRAL ENERGY ILLAWARRA BUSINESS AWARDS
The 2008 Integral Energy Illawarra Business Awards will again turn the spotlight on the Illawarra business community and celebrate the achievements and diversity of the region’s business community.
The Awards congratulate and support the many success stories that make up our local business community. They acknowledge and promote the importance of local business to the future growth and development of the Illawarra, articulate the key drivers of growth for the region and give vital recognition to the region’s most successful and innovative businesses.
Entering the prestigious Integral Energy Illawarra Business Awards brings a range of rewards for businesses. All entrants to these industry and government sponsored Awards provide opportunities for:
• Raising the profile of your business and enhanced credibility and business image in the marketplace
• Recognition from your peers in industry
• Promotional opportunities and media coverage
• Winning new business opportunities
• Recognising your achievements and therefore raising staff morale
• Profiles in local press provided by our media sponsor the Illawarra Mercury
What are you waiting for – enter the awards now by downloading an application form from www.illawarrabusiness.com.au – but hurry, entries close on Monday 1st September 2008.
BASIC BOOKKEEPING FOR SMALL BUSINESS
It is very important for any small business owner to know how to keep sound financial records but more importantly understand how to use those financial reports to make informed decisions.
This workshop is designed to provide an overview of record keeping responsibilities and provides practical exercises in the tasks required to manage a business through record keeping.
By attending this workshop, you will develop an understanding of financial control and the importance of cash flow. Practical exercises demonstrate how to treat petty cash, cash payments, cash receipts, daily bank balances and bank reconciliations.
Time : 9.00am to 12 noon
Date : Friday 8th August Wollongong
Cost : $45.00 per person
INTRO TO BUSINESS PLANNING
A good business plan will increase your chances of business success. It will help you identify your customers, market area, pricing strategies, financial and operational goals. By completing a business plan you will better understand your competitive advantages, new opportunities, current weaknesses and longer-term objectives for the business. Having a business plan is also an important requirement for gaining finance from financial institutions.
The aim of this Workshop is to provide an overview of the business planning process and increase the skills of participants to enable them to complete a business plan for their business. Business Plan templates will be provided.
Time : 12 noon to 1.30pm
Date : Tuesday 24th July 08
Cost : $33.00 – light lunch included
MARKETING WORKSHOP
It is not enough to just have a fantastic product or service; you also need to be able to understand how to market your product or service to potential customers and clients.
This two hour workshop will help you understand the different aspects of marketing, help you understand how your product / service fits into the whole market and how you can market your business more effectively? We will discuss:
• Conducting Market Research
• Who is Your Target Market
• Competitors
• The Four P’s of Marketing
• SWOT Analysis
• Requirements of Developing a Marketing Plan
Time : 12 noon to 2.00pm
Date : Thursday 31st July 08
Cost : $40.00 – light lunch included
This is only a brief outline of the types of small business advice and assistance that we can offer. Want to know more? Remember I am a FREE service and can assist you in developing your business in many ways. Call me today on 42233100 or check out our website at www.illawarraitec.com.au
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