Working Women Magazine | Summer/Autumn 2015

Working Women Women’s Network Australia

®

w w w.w o m e n s n e t w o r k . co m . a u

BUSINESS n SUCCESS n LIFE

SUMMER/AUTUMN 2015 AUD $8.75

WHY blogging is good for your business

8

ways to become unstoppable in business and life

BALI CALLING?

Print Post Approved 100003825

Doing business in Indonesia

The real truth about weight loss success

Networking the icebreakers and deal breakers

HOT TIPS

on hitting your target market

T H E U N L E A S H I N G O F H E R D O G G Y D AY C A R E E M P I R E

Contents Business SUCCESS STRATEGIES Cash flow forecasting pitfalls to avoid

14

8 Ways to become unstoppable in business and life

15

MARKETING How to hit your true target

16

Boost your content by using images effectively

18

Blogging for your business – the how and why

19

NETWORKING Icebreaker or deal breaker – knowing the difference

20

How to build a support network

21

10

12 Life

SALES How to develop a successful prospecting script

22

BRANDING

PRODUCTIVITY

39

5 Strategies to super charge your day

24

36

TRAVEL

How to navigate 3 hazardous branding scenarios

23

What’s your perfect brand of colour?

24

CHANGE

Does your business shine in print?

25

Tap into your below the surface power

48

The excitement of making change

49

8 Tips for staying on track in 2015

50

Must see low cost attractions of Amsterdam 46

LAW & ORDER Business contracts – watch the small print

26

OFF SHORE Tackling the Indonesian market

27

40

Easily forgotten money making strategies

30

Success

Dual role resilience

31

UP FRONT

SMALL BUSINESS SOLUTIONS

Life lessons become business lessons

SOCIALLY SPEAKING Google+ an overlooked business asset

32

Is your business a social business?

33

HUMAN RESOURCES Implicit workplace bias with potential legal claims

44

PUBLIC RELATIONS Using ebooks to promote your business

W Deadline:

inter/Sprin

22

45

g Issue

1 Jun, 2015 25 Apr, 2015 25 Apr, 2015

Date Publication ory siness Direct Bu Classified g in ok Bo rtising 25 Apr, 2015 Display Adve g in ok Bo l ia or rt 8 May, 2015 Adve ial Material & Advertor g in is 3 Apr, 2015 rt ve Ad Image ’s or th Au Editorial &

A CEO is all about passion, hard work and a supportive network

WORK AND FAMILY Do you know who is talking to your child online?

51

PROPERTY How to avoid investment pitfalls

52

6

7 Secrets used by successful property investors

53

8

HEALTH & WELLNESS

Climbing the international career ladder

10

Global ambassador plays to her strengths

12

ON THE MONEY Educating teens about money matters produces stress free adults

37

How to lower your risk of an audit by the ATO

38

Secrets to weight loss success

54

Not feeling yourself? Try going natural

55

Super food for the coffee connoisseur

56

In Every Issue

Anyone can be wealthy – fact or fiction?

39

Simply Stated

3

Taking charge of your super choices

40

Financial planners – sorting the good from the bad

In Brief

4

42

What We Like

28

Interest rate predictions – should you fix or not?

43

Off the Shelf

34

Classified Business Directory

57

Advertising rates and deadlines

59

28

2 WORKING WOMEN® n Summer/Autumn 2015 – www.womensnetwork.com.au

SimplyStated

Funnily enough the organisation has outlived any of my marriages and this year I have the honour of celebrating WNA’s silver anniversary by sharing it with the thousands of women who have been a part of the Women’s Network Australia journey. The inspiring business women I have met over the years and the knowledge and vision gained from the privilege of having led the organisation for the past quarter of a century has been an experience like no other. Yes, I have had an amazing experience, developed extensive business relationships across the globe and I hold onto so many rich and valuable memories.

Lynette Palmen AM Founder and Managing Director Women’s Network Australia

Working Women Women’s Network Australia

®

FOUNDER AND EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Lynette Palmen AM lynette@womensnetwork.com.au NATIONAL ADVERTISING MANAGER Nikita Harris nikita@womensnetwork.com.au DESIGN Tricia Mahoney – Scarab Blue Design www.scarabblue.com.au PUBLISHER Women’s Network Australia Pty Ltd ABN 66 010 793 727

WORKING WOMEN® is a registered trade mark of Women’s Network Australia Pty Ltd

I often miss this simple pleasure, but it’s amazing how reminiscing over 25 years at the forefront of leading the nation’s premier network for women in business took me back to the vibrant, excited and awestruck young girl I once was.

I hope you enjoy this issue of Working Women which is filled with inspirational stories of women at the forefront of their businesses who are making memories they can also be proud of. I look forward to you joining in our silver anniversary celebrations throughout 2015.

In preparation for our anniversary celebrations, the other day I looked through some of our archived correspondence and photography records. I felt so connected to the core of my business, it was as if I had travelled back in time. Mind you my permed hair, seesawing weight and dubious fashion sense throughout the years had me gasping at times. But I smiled, laughed and felt proud of the many achievements whilst also feeling a sadness for those WNA Members who have passed over and are no longer with us. During the process it dawned on me about the truth and authenticity in the saying: Throw out your old bank statements but always keep your love letters.

Connect with us on Facebook facebook.com/womensnetwork

There’s something very special and grounding about going down memory lane. As a small child I was always filled with such excitement when my family gathered for our traditional annual slide show night. Opa would spend the afternoon setting up the screen and projector in the formal lounge and after dinner my sisters and I would laugh and giggle as we sat wide-eyed watching this magical machine flick through photos and memories our parents had captured from our family holidays, backyard antics and special occasions in our lives.

CONTACT POSTAL PO Box 1723 Sunnybank Hills Q 4109 PHONE 1800 052 476 FAX + 61 (7) 3272 8111 WEB www.womensnetwork.com.au EMAIL magazine@womensnetwork.com.au EDITORIAL

Editorial is most welcome if it is of a newsworthy nature and accompanied by a good quality photograph. Articles should be directed towards our readership base of business and professional women. Women’s Network Australia has editing rights on all articles submitted.

Editorial submissions are accepted on the basis that the publisher may use the author’s name, comments and content for this publication and promotional purposes including digital and print media. Authors waive all right to copyrights (if any).

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Advertisements created by Women’s Network Australia Pty Ltd for this publication cannot be copied or reproduced without permission of the editor. Women’s Network Australia also reserves the right to refuse any advertisements which do not complement the magazine’s vision.

Working Women Women’s Network Australia

®

w w w.w o m e n s n e t w o r k . co m . a u

BUSINESS n SUCCESS n LIFE

SUMMER/AUTUMN 2015 AUD $8.75

WHY blogging is good for your business

8

ways to become unstoppable in business and life

BALI CALLING?

Doing business in Indonesia

Print Post Approved 100003825

With coffee in hand I reflect on another resource packed edition of our glossy magazine, asking where the last 25 years have gone since I first established Women’s Network Australia (WNA).

The real truth about weight loss success

Networking the icebreakers and deal breakers

HOT TIPS

on hitting your target market

T H E U N L E A S H I N G O F H E R D O G G Y D AY C A R E E M P I R E

The success of entrepreneur Bree Robbin’s doggy day care empire is an inspiration to anyone starting their own small business. With very little capital, no experience running a business and just trusting her intuition Bree has built her fledgling business, Paddington Pups into a booming enterprise. By relying on life’s lessons Bree’s up for any challenge the business can throw at her.

ADVERTORIAL

Advertorial is accepted in all sections. A large, clear professional photograph must accompany all articles.

Prices are available on application. Please call 1800 052 476.

DISCLAIMER

Women’s Network Australia is not responsible for any copyright infringements for images supplied by writers or advertisers.

Materials and articles in this publication are general comment, not advice. The information is believed to be accurate and reliable but no responsibility is taken for any opinions expressed or for errors and omissions. Readers should not act on the basis of the material without taking professional advice relating to their particular circumstances.

COPYRIGHT ©1993 – 2015 Women’s Network Australia Pty Ltd

All artwork created by WORKING WOMEN® is the property of Women’s Network Australia Pty Ltd and must not be duplicated in another publication or promotion without written permission as it is subject to Australian copyright law.

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InBrief UNITINGCARE Queensland chief Anne Cross has taken out the Telstra Business Woman of The Year Award. Anne transformed one of Queensland’s largest not-for-profits and reshaped the delivery of services to the most vulnerable in the community. Named the 20th Telstra Business Woman of the Year, Anne is an inspiration to all businesswomen across the nation.

LATEST ABS data shows that 48% of Australian small businesses have a web presence, while 26.4% have a social media presence. 28.4% of small businesses said that internet income contributed to more than 50% of their income from goods or services, while 30% of small business said that internet income contributed to less than 1% of income from goods and services.

PRIVATE businesses up for sale have reached a record number of 41,200, according to the BizExchange Index for Private Business Values.

The index for the last quarter shows the volume of businesses advertised for sale increased dramatically, up by 23%.

SMARTPHONES are the trend when it comes to job hunting. Gen Y lead the pack in relation to swiping their way to a new career. An Employee Insights Survey found 85% of Gen Y use their smartphones to look for jobs in comparison to 57% of baby boomers. While a lot of people are searching for jobs via their smartphone, they are more likely to apply for them from home or at a desktop where they can get a bit more privacy and tweak their CV.

IN-LAW S extra-m are most likely a t to a rec rital affairs. A o cause cc ent rela tionship ording 83% of pe s factors ople say exte urvey, rnal are to b lame fo disrupt r in and 65% g their relatio nships s a y t h es influen ces hav e issues and e been cause f the or extra-m them to enga main ge in arital a ffa one mo st dam irs. The numb aging fa er a relatio ctor f ns and fam hip is nosy in-l or aws ily.

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SMEs are hopeful of growing revenue and profit this financial year despite a third not having a business plan. Commonwealth Bank research, which surveyed more than 500 SMEs, found 45% of businesses are anticipating increases in their revenue in comparison to 28% who are expecting decreases in revenue. Whereas 40% said they expect to see an increase in profits and 33% said they are expecting their profits to fall.

WORKING on Sunday is becoming the norm with an Australian Work and Life Index revealing that less than half of Australian employees work a ‘standard’ week and about one-fifth regularly work on the weekend. Jobs in mining, media, telecommunications, health care and social assistance offer the least work-life balance. Working mothers again recorded the worst work-life balance, a finding consistent since the first Index in 2007.

ACCORDING to recent research, more than 90% of Australian enterprises are classified as micro, that is, they employ fewer than 10 employees, with almost 98% of enterprises in the construction industry and 95% of businesses in the services sector employing less than 10 employees. But overall these enterprises created the most jobs for the Australian economy. In 2011, 2.58 million people in Australia were employed by micro enterprise, compared to 1.66 million employed by firms with between 20 and 49 employees, and 2.36 million workers employed by large firms with more than 250 employees.

CONNECTED even on holidays? Australians remain tied to their phones and work emails even when they should be holidaying. The 2014 Global Mobile Index found more than 70% of Australians admitted to taking their work phone with them on a holiday. Almost a third of Australian travellers also said they used their smartphone more when travelling than when they are at home. 73% of Aussies who have a work-paid device admitted to taking it with them on holiday, a statistic which is considerably high compared to the global average of 63%. The tendency for workers to ‘always be switched on’ comes from the fact that 96% of employed adults around the world own a mobile device.

NOT the pot of go ld we we to believ re lead e, nearly 7 0 % of all a develope pp rs worldw ide are e less than a r ning $1,066.0 0 per mo accordin n t h, g to a glo bal surve 10,000 a y of pp develo pers com analytics piled by firm Visio n Mobile .

ANALYSIS of recent data shows 73.7% of Australian employers have never looked for a gender pay gap in their accounts and less than one in five have examined their payroll in the last 12 months. Businesses in the finance and insurance sectors were the most likely to have looked at their gender pay gap, followed by public administration and mining. Of the organisations that had analysed their gender pay gap, the workplace gender agency found 31% had not taken any action to address the discrepancies.

RESEARCH shows that discrimination of pregnant women and new parents is a widespread and systemic problem in Australia. Despite discrimination on the grounds of pregnancy being illegal, an Australian Human Rights Commission report found 49% of mothers report having experienced discrimination at some point during pregnancy, parental leave or upon return to work. While legislation currently gives workers with families the right to ask for flexible arrangements, employers do not necessarily have to grant a request.

TWO simple words still pack a punch when it comes to building new business relationships. A study, conducted by the University of New South Wales has found that thanking an acquaintance the first time you meet them makes them more likely to want to seek an ongoing relationship.

Participants in the study who were thanked for their time were more likely to exchange their contact details, for example, their phone number or email address. Wonders never cease. As rare as they are these days manners still work!

APPROXIMATELY 30% of the Australian workforce is now freelancing and contributing up to $51 billion to the economy, and according to a recent study that number is only expected to grow. The study, conducted by Elance-oDesk, found 3.7 million Australians freelance either on a full-time, part-time or casual basis. Around 19% juggle their freelancing on top of a full-time traditional job.

4 WORKING WOMEN® n Summer/Autumn 2015 – www.womensnetwork.com.au

We’ll find you a great deal, saving you time and money.

“Relax, we’ll do all the leg work for you!”

-Lynette Palmen AM , Women’s Network Australia

As an Accredited Member of the nation’s largest mortgage broker, we help you compare over 800 loan options from our extensive lending panel. Having a broker go into bat for you is the smart way to go; we do all the hard work for you, we work fast, and we make sure you secure a loan that suits you.

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phone mob fax email web address

1800 052 476 0408 881 984 +61 7 3272 8111 loans@womensnetwork.com.au www.womensnetwork.com.au PO Box 1723 Sunnybank Hills QLD 4109

Photo courtesy of Zoo Studio

LIFE

6 WORKING WOMEN® n Summer/Autumn 2015 – www.womensnetwork.com.au

WW COVER STORY

LESSONS

become business lessons Taking on board her toddler to teenager experiences, BREE ROBBINS turned her entrepreneurial hand to creating a fun and caring environment for pampered pooches.

Everyone has a story. This one is filled with obstacles that may have stumped most people, but not Bree Robbins. “When I was a toddler, I remember my father’s busy Mexican restaurant that turned over 100 tables three or four times on a busy night,” says Robbins. “It looked like total chaos and yet amazingly, every night, like clockwork, all the meals were cooked, served and consumed. Little did I know this would eventually help me embrace flurries of hyperactivity, knowing that in the end, with the right systems in place, it all works itself out.”

An independent, self-assured businesswoman in her own right, Bree’s mother mentored her by teaching life lessons from a very early age. At eight years of age, Bree was a victim of verbal bullying by a class mate. She was faced with an adult decision: to be influenced by other people’s opinions or be her own person. This has served her to this day when ‘unpopular decisions’ are necessary to run a successful business.

A few years later, when a teacher stepped outside acceptable bounds of behaviour with ‘public shaming’, her mother very publicly addressed the situation, even though it was a prevalent practice at the time. It was twenty years later that Bree faced a similar ‘abuse of power’ by the local council that many would have accepted as the status quo. She stood her ground and yielded a mutually beneficial outcome, whilst avoiding costly litigation.

In her formative years, Bree was encouraged to explore new boundaries and possibilities with few constraints. At the local Arts and Crafts Markets on the Gold Coast, founded by her mother and her aunt, Bree was quickly drawn to sales.

At the age of 14, she set up her own stall and launched her first business!

The business entailed recycling old petticoats, tie-dying them to create colourful eye-catching patterns that could be worn as dresses. She could buy and tie-die a petticoat for less than $5 and initially sold them for less than $10.

But a strange thing happened, a lot of people voiced concerns that the colours would run (even though they didn’t). Bree assumed it was because people thought they were ‘too cheap’, so she doubled the price to see what would happen. Her sales skyrocketed as buyers assumed they were better quality and stopped asking questions!

The ultimate life lesson would be learnt a year later, when a horrible car accident seriously injured Bree and her mother. At the crash scene, Bree was the only one able to extract herself from her vehicle and instinctively took charge of the situation, coordinating the medical and helicopter rescue teams upon arrival at the scene, and comforting and reassuring her mother as she drifted in and out of consciousness throughout the traumatic ordeal. Remaining calm under pressure has remained a core competency she commands to this day.

Bree’s mother eventually succumbed to the repercussions of her injuries several years later, instilling in Bree the importance of having mentors and personal support mechanisms in place to deal with anything and everything that can happen.

With very little capital and no experience running a business, trusting her intuition and relying on her business mentor for assistance, in 2009, Bree purchased a fledgling business – Paddington Pups, bringing with it a whole new spectrum of challenges.

“Having ‘20–20 foresight’ and ‘paying it forward’,” explains Dr Marc Dussault, The Exponential Growth Strategist and Bree’s business mentor, “are more than just buzz words. During the 2011 Brisbane floods, Bree

BREE’S TOP 4 LEADERSHIP TIPS 1. T he adventure and thrill of living is in overcoming obstacles, not shrinking from or being scared of them.

2. G et a business mentor to guide you to avoid the most common mistakes and provide a framework to run your business systematically.

3. A s you travel along your path of selfdiscovery, it’s okay to change your destination to find your true destiny.

4. P ay it forward with authenticity and sincerity and it will come back to you one hundred-fold, when you least expect it and need it the most.

was able to anticipate the flood, protect her inventory and count on more than 200 clients who volunteered to help clean up her flooded Paddington Pups facility, enabling it to re-open only eight days later. In contrast, several neighbouring businesses weren’t proactive and consequently went out of business.”

A four-fold sales growth increase since taking over the business has necessitated re-locating into a new facility with twice the footprint.

Such stellar growth is a testament to Bree’s immersion in the business and the creation of a collaborative culture of education and empowerment for staff, and a place that is fun for dogs as well as for their owners.

Since purchasing the business, Bree has successfully transformed Paddington Pups into Queensland’s number one doggy day care and grooming facility. n

CONTACT Bree Robbins BUSINESS Paddington Pups PHONE +61 (7) 3369 0699

www.paddingtonpups.com.au

www.womensnetwork.com.au – Summer/Autumn 2015 n WORKING WOMEN® 7

WW UPFRONT

A CEO IS ALL ABOUT PASSION, hard work and a

supportive network

As a wife, mother and an education professional with decades of experience, KAY GANLEY knows the importance of balancing family time along with her passion and commitment to her industry.

Kay is the owner and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Charlton Brown, a leading Australian registered training organisation that delivers industry recognised training in child care, community service, aged care, youth work, welfare, youth justice and disability care. The business footprint extends across Australia and overseas.

Her journey to becoming CEO of her own business has been driven by hard work and a commitment to embrace leadership roles throughout a career spanning 40 years within the education and training sector.

Kay believes that her business success can be attributed to the wonderful support she receives from family while juggling a busy and demanding career. Her sons, Marcus and Toby, have worked in the business at various stages, and her husband Trevor is a fellow director.

Over the years, Kay’s standing in the business community has seen her recognised with numerous leadership 8 WORKING WOMEN® n Summer/Autumn 2015 – www.womensnetwork.com.au

awards, such as being named one of the YWCA’s Special Women at the organisation’s 125th anniversary celebrations, and she was also a recipient of Zonta’s 2013 Brisbane Woman of Achievement Award.

The YWCA said that each woman on its list had contributed significantly to the community and was the embodiment of leadership. The YWCA’s list includes women who are wellknown public figures, as well as many quiet achievers and unsung heroes.

The Zonta award also recognised Kay’s leadership skills and her tireless representation of Queensland as a quality education destination.

But for Kay it is not about the accolades, it is about representing her industry and being an advocate for children and working families, both in Australia and abroad.

Kay currently serves on a number of high profile national, state and local boards, and recently provided a submission to the Australian Productivity Commission inquiry into child care and early childhood learning.

In Kay’s submission she noted that with over 1.3 million children enrolled in Child Care Centres, Family Day Care or In Home Care in Australia that it should not be the venue that determines whether parents are eligible for Commonwealth child care subsidy support, but rather the quality of the care they receive.

So who is Kay and how did she get to where she is today?

Q. When you were growing up, what did you picture yourself doing in adult life?

I’ve always had a strong interest in teaching and education. For me this became a passion for personal growth, development and empowerment. We often talk about the

Kay believes that her business success can be attributed to the wonderful support she receives from family while juggling a busy and demanding career.

Her sons, Marcus and Toby, have worked in the business at various stages, and her husband Trevor is a fellow director.

Q. How are you involved in networking and development outside the business?

Serving on industry boards and committees is an important part of that, not only for networking and development, but also for giving something back to the sector and keeping in touch with what is happening in the industry.

Q. What prompted you to diversify your business and take it overseas?

And what were the first steps in making this happen?

Initially, we were invited to be part of the offshore market, the first opportunity being to deliver child care training in Malaysia.

From there we attracted further opportunities for partnerships, speaking engagements and the like – I was given the unique opportunity to represent Australia at the Global Welfare Summit in Japan in 2013. In developing countries it has been wonderful to see the big difference a small amount of education can make – particularly for women.

Q. When did you decide that you were successful?

To me it is all a constant process whereby you achieve one thing and move on to the next challenge. But there have been times when I have pinched myself, such as when I was in a meeting in China with a high-level delegation and I looked around the room and said to myself, look at where we are now – in such a wonderful position of influence for the Australian education and training sector.

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Australia Network ® Women’s

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SUCCE ESS n BUSIN

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AUD $8.75

Q. What advice can you give to other working women?

1. Find your passion and go for it 2. Be prepared to take risks 3. As the song goes, ‘Know when to hold them, know when to fold them, know when to walk away’.

Q. What advice would you offer to other women regarding work–life balance?

Use your support networks to make life manageable. Assess your priorities and have a close circle of friends who are appreciative of your time. Surround yourself with employees and colleagues who are loyal and share your vision. Also accept that, in growing a business and being career oriented, you will miss some time with family and friends and some milestones back home.

Q. When you do get away from work, what do you enjoy doing?

Anyone that knows me well knows that I love camping, it’s a family tradition. I also love to travel, enjoy music festivals and of course taking time out to socialise with my husband, family and friends.

At the end of the day, it’s always going to be about work–life balance. “Be passionate about what you do and always remain true to yourself,” says Kay. n

CONTACT Kay Ganley BUSINESS Charlton Brown PHONE +61 (7) 3216 0288

www.charltonbrown.com.au

12-month

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Working Women subscriptio n included in membership .

WHY blogging is good for your business

ways to become able unstopp s in busines and life

BALI CALLING?

The real ut truth abo weight loss success

iness Doing bus ia in Indones

100003825

Before Charlton Brown, I had 30 years of immeasurable experience as a teacher in high schools, primary schools and in early childhood. I’ve also had and continue to have a strong commitment in working with the deaf community.

Yes, but it isn’t set in stone, it remains fluid to allow us to respond to the right opportunities when they present themselves. However, every business needs a succession plan as you never know what is around the corner.

o rkrsin g N et w icebreake the breakers and deal

Approved

Q. So what had you done before taking on your current role?

Q. Do you have a business succession plan?

Print Post

difference education can make in people’s lives – the student who walks in is not the student who walks out.

Discover the difference NETWORKING can make to your business.

LEA THE UN

SHING

DOGGY OF HER

HOT TIPS

on hitting et your targ market

IR RE EMP D AY C A

E

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WW UPFRONT

10 WORKING WOMEN® n Summer/Autumn 2015 – www.womensnetwork.com.au

WW UPFRONT

Climbing the international

CAREER

ladder

From corporate communications and public relations to marketing and company operations including global expansions, LINDA KOZLOWSKI’s career has taken her around the globe. Take note of her tips and you too can be highly productive and successful in your career or business.

Linda Kozlowski has achieved success on the international stage. She has most recently been elevated to the role of Vice President of Worldwide Operations at the hugely successful software company Evernote, producers of the world’s favourite productivity application.

Linda is responsible for the company’s global expansion, regional office management and development, marketing and partnerships.

LINDA’S PRODUCTIVITY TIPS n

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ou want to be able to store your Y knowledge somewhere very accessible, and not have to struggle to find it. se tools that allow you to collaborate as U a team. our people are your most valuable tool, as Y they have so much knowledge. The trick is to find a way of harvesting that knowledge.

F ocus – women are very good at multitasking, which is a strength, but I think it has a time and a place. Focusing on one topic makes you much more productive rather than trying to do four things at the same time. urn off email, don’t answer the phone, and T just focus on one task for half an hour. hen I travel, I try to spend as much time W as possible reading and catching up on information, and educating myself. This may include industry news, and financial articles – readings that require my undivided attention. urround yourself with the right team.

S A lot of your success will be your team’s success, so try to employ people who are as smart as you are, if not smarter in some areas.

I create a simple to-do list (in Evernote of course!) with an overall project deadline.

But I don’t schedule a time for each individual task, because they would just keep popping up when I’m in meetings or on my computer all day, which would stress me out.

After shouldering all of these responsibilities, Linda has a lot of advice to offer those starting out with new business ventures, and those wondering how to bring their ideas to market and drive business forward.

Hard work and a talent for communicating have raised Linda to her current position in life. Her path started out at Elon University where she graduated with a dual degree in Journalism and Corporate Communications, which subsequently led to a diverse and interesting working life that has spanned several countries and some of the world’s bestknown companies.

Following the Corporate Communications degree Linda studied journalism, and holds a Masters degree from UNC-Chapel Hill.

These led to a career in journalism and Public Relations, including senior positions at Text 100, Fleishman-Hillard and Schwartz Communications. A decision to follow her passion for international work led Linda to Hong Kong, where she worked in global communications and marketing for Alibaba. com.

“I felt that I had to go and live somewhere foreign, to really immerse myself in another culture for a period of time,” she explains.

“While I was in Hong Kong, about eighty-five per cent of my time was spent travelling.”

“Australia has such a great entrepreneurial spirit. People here have great ideas, and they have no fear at all. But Australians also love to have a life outside of their businesses – they love to travel, to blend work and life together.

That is something that we hold very dear at Evernote, since we empower people to take their work with them whenever they need to be mobile, and we keep that same ethos throughout the company. Since the modern world allows us to be so mobile, work and play can definitely go hand in hand to offer a better quality of lifestyle overall.”

Linda’s career has evolved from a purely communications-based role into product,

marketing and operations in order to get closer to the products she was working with. She feels strongly that start-ups and small businesses should follow the lead of successful companies and take advantage of the many ways that content can be used to communicate with the user or customer.

“Marketing is no longer a matter of simply putting a message out there, it has become a two-way conversation.”

When Linda joined Evernote, the company was already very successful on the global stage.

“What’s unusual about Evernote is that so many of our users live outside the United States,” said Linda. “Most start-ups focus on one or two countries, but we are spread right across the world which creates some interesting challenges for the next phase of growth.”

On supporting women in senior positions, Linda is quite adamant that women should “never feel the need to apologise”. She says, “Don’t worry about offending people, and don’t worry about taking a strong stance on something. Capitalise on your strengths, and move forward as if there isn’t a shortage of women in senior positions. It is perfectly acceptable to be who you are these days.”

Linda feels that technology offers new businesses a host of opportunities not available until very recently, and is driving innovation forward.

“These days small businesses have so much access to technology so that even someone starting out with just one or two people in the company can make use of technology that would have been unheard of just a few years ago.” n

CONTACT Linda Kozlowski BUSINESS Evernote PHONE +1 415 999 3279

www.evernote.com

www.womensnetwork.com.au – Summer/Autumn 2015 n WORKING WOMEN® 11

WW UPFRONT

GLOBAL

ambassador

plays to her strengths Spending the majority of her time travelling the globe building strategic relationships and promoting Sydney as a destination of choice, LYN LEWIS-SMITH’s impressive career portfolio sees her flying high.

Lyn Lewis-Smith has always thrived on challenges, right from the time she was at school in Adelaide in the late 70s.

As well as excelling academically, Lyn was an active sportswoman, competing in netball, equestrian, state-representative athletics – the 100 metre hurdle – and the decathlon.

Now, as CEO of Business Events Sydney and President of the Australian Association of Convention Bureaux, Lyn promotes Sydney in the global marketplace as the top destination for business events in an increasingly competitive market.

Her career may well have turned out very differently if she had just stopped off in Sydney for a few days in 1989 as planned and then continued on to meet a friend in New York.

The Big Apple’s loss was Sydney’s gain as the enthusiastic 20-something fell in love with the harbour city and never made the plane.

Lyn’s tips for women who travel for business n

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ign up for airline clubs so you can S continue to work if your plane is delayed.

ack light – build up a corporate travel P wardrobe – have a couple of basics in block colours and then buy accessories and additional pieces that can take you from the boardroom to a cocktail party to a dinner without effort. ake flat shoes and walk wherever you T can – it helps with jet lag and you get to experience life as a local.

L earn how to effectively use technology to communicate with both the office and your family and friends.

chedule in some downtime – arrive a day S early and familiarise yourself with your surroundings.

Instead, as her money dwindled, she got a job as an executive assistant, a role that gave her the skill set and insights to decide her future career in business development.

“I was told when I applied for a sales role that a woman didn’t have the necessary qualities to close a deal, but I was pretty determined, so I persuaded them to give me a go,” she says.

“There were no other female sales people and I was, and still am, driven to be the best I can at whatever I do, so the fact I was told I couldn’t do something just made me want to work harder and achieve more.”

Within 12 months, Lyn was one of the top 30 sales people in the global company and was rewarded with a first class flight to Los Angeles and then on to Miami to enjoy a Caribbean Cruise.

Satisfied she had done all she could within that organisation and wanting to work in the tourism and hospitality industry, she took up a business development role with a hotel chain for five years, where she established Australian Sports Travel. She was then tapped on the shoulder to establish business for the Australian Institute of Sport/Thredbo Alpine Training Centre – an altitude training facility built to accommodate Australian athletes in the lead up to the Sydney Olympics.

Family life then intervened. “When my son was two, my husband and I decided to move to Christchurch to spend time with my husband’s family, we wanted our son to get to know his grandparents and extended family.”

“I accepted the GM position at the Christchurch Convention Bureau but after two years, we both acknowledged we were big city people so we moved back to Sydney.”

Lyn was again tapped on the shoulder to be

12 WORKING WOMEN® n Summer/Autumn 2015 – www.womensnetwork.com.au

Director of Sales at the Sydney Convention and Visitors Bureau (now Business Events Sydney) but in 2008 she moved into the role of General Manager Marketing, then Chief Operating Officer, and in July 2011 was promoted to CEO, a role she is passionate about.

Much of her time is spent travelling internationally to events around the world, building strategic relationships with key industry leaders and managing a global team of 50 in six offices.

Business Events Sydney has had phenomenal success under Lyn’s leadership, with yearon-year growth. The organisation is playing a vital role in maintaining continuity of sales and activity during the closure of the Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre and it has already secured 17 events estimated to be worth more than $150 million for the new ICC Sydney when it opens at the end of 2016.

The driving force behind Lyn’s stellar career has been her passion, and it is hard, when you meet her, not to be swept up in her enthusiasm and love for her job.

Her advice for everyone who aspires to a senior management role is to take opportunities and back yourself.

“Women do tend to downplay their strengths,” she says.

“Everyone is great at some things and not so good at others. Learn early what your strengths are and then focus on those. Surround yourself with a capable team and let them excel in their strengths.” n

CONTACT Lyn Lewis-Smith BUSINESS Business Events Sydney PHONE +61 (2) 9331 4045

www.businesseventssydney.com.au

www.womensnetwork.com.au – Summer/Autumn 2015 n WORKING WOMEN® 13

WW SUCCESS STRATEGIES

CASH FLOW FORECASTING

pitfalls to avoid A good cash flow analysis is vital for business profitability and helps build your case for loans that could assist with growing your business to the next level. MIKI BEKKARI, explores some of the common mistakes business owners make with their cash flow forecasting.

It probably sounds a bit morbid, but if you had a cut on your arm and it just kept bleeding, wouldn’t you want to do something about it? You would certainly think seriously about getting some help, or maybe even visiting the emergency room.

Because one thing is sure, if you just ignore it, things could get a lot worse.

Cash is the lifeblood of any business, and a cash flow projection can help you with the diagnostics. A forecast, or projection is a snapshot of your future income and expenses.

For established businesses, it takes into account past sales trends, competitor impact, growth strategies and timing.

New businesses often rely on market research and trends to help determine projected earnings and expenses.

When approaching a bank for financing, a cash flow forecast helps a bank determine risk, and whether your business is a good candidate for a loan – basically, whether your projected cash flow is solid enough to ensure the bank’s investment is sound.

A cash flow forecast is a prerequisite by any bank loan department. Please, don’t even think

If you are approaching a bank for a loan, ensure your spreadsheets are easily understood and in a format that the banks like to see. Making a good first impression is important!

of approaching a bank for funding if you don’t have one.

Here are some pitfalls to avoid to help you build a better forecast:

Don’t be overly optimistic.

This is probably the biggest mistake that business owners make when doing their own cash flow forecasts. If you love what you do, chances are good that you will be enthusiastic about your business and its potential to grow and do amazing things. Force yourself to take a step back and look at your business with different eyes. Ensure your projections are realistic, obtainable goals, and not overly optimistic. If need be, don’t be afraid to ask for help from your accountant or a cash flow specialist.

Don’t be too vague or emotive.

Bank officers are very busy people who look at numbers all day long – so know your audience! Make sure that you present all of the information about your business clearly, and with as many facts as possible. This is probably the hardest thing to do for business owners who are passionate about their business, but one thing is certain: no one will invest in your business if they don’t understand it. It is easier to decline your request than get back to you for clarification. Go ahead and talk about your passion (bank officers are people too), but now is not the time to talk about your business in only an emotive way.

14 WORKING WOMEN® n Summer/Autumn 2015 – www.womensnetwork.com.au

Don’t present information in an incorrect format.

If you are approaching a bank for a loan, ensure your spreadsheets are easily understood and in a format that the banks like to see. Making a good first impression is important. Provide enough information in an easy to understand format.

This makes it easy for a loan officer to speak to their credit manager about your loan request.

Don’t provide misleading information.

Have you heard the phrase ‘Numbers don’t lie?’

Actually, they can, and you would be surprised at the number of businesses who attempt it when approaching banks for loans. Be honest in addressing your challenges and don’t fool yourself.

Just like health check ups, cash flow forecasts should be a major part of your business planning, and reviewed on a regular basis.

Consider carefully whether you are willing, capable, and have the time to create and regularly review your own forecasts.

Cash is the lifeblood of your business, and the health of your business is vital to ensure you can grow your business well into the future. n

CONTACT Miki Bekkari BUSINESS Strategy Plus Consultancy PHONE 1300 831 808

www.strategyplusconsultancy.com.au

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WW SUCCESS STRATEGIES

ways to become unstoppable in

BUSINESS AND LIFE Do you want to be unstoppable? DIANNA JACOBSEN shares success strategies used by unstoppable entrepreneurs.

Dr John Demartini says: “When the voice and the vision from within are louder and clearer than the voices and opinions on the outside, you have truly mastered your life.”

Absolutely! Success in life and business is NOT about doing what others may think is best, but is about having confidence in yourself to act, and giving yourself permission to ‘course correct’ as needed.

Here are some key points to making you unstoppable as you follow your own personal journey to ‘success’, whatever that might mean for you:

1. Be confident, and trust yourself. Don’t second guess yourself. A great mantra to have is “make a decision, and make it right”. Seek advice from your accountant, financial adviser, business coach or financial strategist, and utilise their broad scope of experience when making your decisions.

2. Have the right attitude – always! Love what you do. Lead the beliefs and mindset of your team. Be an attractive personality to be around.

All sales and service are about the experience your clients or customers have in working with you, so build the relationships to generate positivity and confidence in you.

3. Develop a team of great people: staff, advisers, mentors, colleagues… Get clear on the structure needed in your business, the roles within the structure, and only then look at the actual team members; identify their strengths,

and match these to the roles. The main reason staff management is so challenging at times is due to inappropriate selection or positioning of people. Aim to build a ‘spaghetti network’, where all roles integrate, and hierarchy is less important.

4. Focus on the desired outcome. Too often we get bogged down with current problems or past mistakes. Instead, develop a clear picture of the result you seek, then plot the steps towards creating that outcome. Unsure of all the steps?

Then just take the first one; the path will become apparent as you focus on the desired result.

5. Take care of yourself, physically, mentally, and emotionally. When we get run down, tired, overwhelmed or stressed, we lose our objectivity, our perspective, our confidence, and our resilience. The more ‘OK’ we feel about ourselves, the less vulnerable we are to the opinions of others, and the better we are able to cope with whatever comes our way.

This includes managing our time, life balance, personal relationships, financial security, etc. If any area is out of balance or causing you angst, seek support to correct it.

6. Watch your language! The words we say and the way in which we say them – both to others and to ourselves – set the tone for our attitudes, our team, and our results. If you tend to fall into the mode of ‘victim’, ‘martyr’, ‘pessimist’ or ‘drama queen’, give it up. The world will deliver the results you are most in alignment with, so always seek and expect good things.

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7. Don’t take things personally. Women, especially, tend to get ‘miffed’ at the occasionally unexpected behaviour of others.

People sometimes behave in odd ways for reasons best known only to themselves. If you think you’ve done nothing ‘wrong’, then you probably haven’t. Let their issues be their issues, and move on, otherwise you can waste valuable time and energy, and sabotage yourself unnecessarily.

8. Maintain personal accountability. When we blame others for the situations or results we encounter, we are handing over control for our own outcomes to someone else. We then feel ‘out of control’, a victim. Own the situation, tell yourself “it is what it is”, and take an action. No matter what we face, we always have a choice about what step we can take next, or what attitude we can adopt.

So set forth! Clarify your ‘destination’, and create your roadmap to reach this place, seek expert advice and guidance in specialist fields, and don’t be deterred by those on other journeys.

Always believe in yourself and maintain your focus and the vision from within. n

CONTACT Dianna Jacobsen BUSINESS Shine at Business PHONE +61 (0) 412 804 716

www.shineatbusiness.com.au

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0412 804 716 admin@shineatbusiness.com.au Dianna Jacobsen Business and Financial Strategist Request our FREE e-book “Time Management for Women” at www.shineatbusiness.com.au

www.womensnetwork.com.au – Summer/Autumn 2015 n WORKING WOMEN® 15

WW MARKETING

How to hit your true

TA R G E T

Do you really know who your ideal target market is? LEONIE ARNEBARK breaks it down and gives top tips that will help you hit your marketing bullseye through effective targeting.

Who is your ideal target market? How do you determine your target audience segments and the most effective ways to engage with them?

If you are like most business owners you probably won’t be able to answer the above questions easily and you might find the whole concept of your ‘target market’ overwhelming and ambiguous.

If you were to describe your current average customer versus your ideal future customer, chances are they will differ significantly.

Intimately understanding your true target market is instrumental in enabling you to effectively develop your marketing plan for 2015 and gain clarity on who and how to target in order to hit your business bullseye.

One of the first things to ask yourself as a business owner is: Who is my ideal customer or client? If, like many business owners, you can’t answer this immediately, then now is the time to think about it and figure it out before you go any further.

In marketing, if you have no target it’s not like the motivational saying of “Shoot for the moon if you miss, you’ll land among the stars”. It just doesn’t work that way in business. Instead, you will be shooting into the black abyss of space, where no one exists.

Hot tips to help you determine and connect with your true target market:

Find the perfect match. Identify what you are offering and ensure it is fulfilling a specific need. Then look around at whom you think would be a perfect fit for your product or service.

Don’t try to be all things. Don’t be afraid to specialise, finding your true niche allows you to do less but do it better. Focus on your primary market. You can use target marketing to carve out your own space in the marketplace.

Break it down into graphics:

Avoid blanketing. If you try to blanket everyone using one marketing message and strategy you will lose over half of your audience simply because it doesn’t apply to them.

Demographics: Who specifically needs your product or service? Investigate basic demographic details such as age, gender, family size, educational level and occupation.

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Geographics: Where are your customers located? What’s their postcode, the size of the area, its population density, and its climate etc.

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Psychographics: Why do your customers make the choices they make? This is personality and lifestyle information that will help you figure out your customers’ buying patterns, e.g. what are their hobbies and interests?

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Why you? Identify why customers choose you over your competitors, what’s your unique selling proposition (USP), how are you genuinely differentiating yourself in the marketplace. Ask them why? Conduct surveys and gain insightful feedback directly from your customers, don’t make assumptions. Complete clarity and confidence in communicating why customers should choose you is critical.

Research is gold. It is important to know your marketplace and your customers intimately, take the time to research who and what is out there.

Planning for success. Once you know who it is you are going after then you can begin to design a plan around how you will market to them so they can see you, become aware of who you are and get to know and like you so they will be comfortable buying from you.

It’s a win–win for you and your business and it will save money and time. By targeting effectively you won’t have to invest so much into your marketing to get the results you desire. You will also be more focused and more efficient in your marketing strategies and be able to get a greater return on your marketing investment.

Hit your marketing bullseye today. n

CONTACT Leonie Arnebark BUSINESS Kaibizzen PHONE +61 (7) 3390 8977

www.kaibizzen.com

Wanting to take your business from good to great?

Call us now on 07 3390 8977 to schedule your no obligation, FREE strategy session.

Visit www.kaibizzen.com to download FREE business planning and marketing templates.

16 WORKING WOMEN® n Summer/Autumn 2015 – www.womensnetwork.com.au

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WW MARKETING

BOOST YOUR CONTENT BY using images effectively KERRIN SMITH provides guidance and tips on how to increase the effectiveness of your content marketing using awesome images.

Get noticed online.

Portrait Photography Package $320

Images are easily absorbed and allow people to make decisions quickly. They create an edge for written content, making posts far more interesting at a glance.

Images can be inspirational, compelling people to share them online to their own networks.

They can double reader interaction in social media feeds and encourage their audience into action. But when adding visuals to your content marketing strategy for the first time, figuring out how to do it effectively can be tricky.

Build trust and credibility.

Business Video Package $650

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Who are you speaking to? Get to know your target market and define your audience.

You want to build relationships and brand awareness, and create leads. With that in mind think about what imagery would be relevant to them. If the images do not reflect or enhance your message than they will create confusion with readers.

As a basic guide, people love beautiful shots, yummy food photos, original and quirky ideas, inspiring images, authentic personal branding (so they can get to know the real you) and of course, anything funny. But make sure what you use is relevant to the content.

Become a hoarder. Create a storage system on your computer with any images you can get your hands on. Have your smart phone at the ready to capture interesting shots on the go – gorgeous food, sunsets and landscapes, colourful lifestyle shots and photos of you, doing things relevant to your business and brand. Also start collecting stock images for your file. But beware, you cannot just use images you find and download from the internet. All images carry a copyright and unless you have asked for permission to use the image or have paid for it, it cannot be used by you. It is better to just head to an online stock image store or enlist the services of a professional photographer to avoid breaching any copyrights.

Get creative. Once you have some images

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in your library, start pairing them with your written content. Remember, relevance is key so find an image that supports your content.

To give your images more impact there are a number of little tricks you can use.

18 WORKING WOMEN® n Summer/Autumn 2015 – www.womensnetwork.com.au

Firstly, why not create a collage? You will get more bang for your buck by compiling a range of complementary shots into one very cool graphic. Another hot tip is to add some text.

Put together some sharp and catchy headlines and splash them over your image for some extra punch. You can even make your images interactive. Add some embedded links to drive your audience to a whole range of content. This will allow them to essentially discover more about your business without even leaving the page. Perhaps the most important addition to your image is to add your branding; you do not want your photo going viral without any reference to you on it.

While these suggestions may sound tricky, there are websites that will allow you to start creating easily. And even better, their basic editing tools are free to use. To get started you can try www.thinglink.com or www.picmonkey. com

Does it really make a difference? Make sure you gauge the level of interaction from your audience. Easy ways to measure the success of adding an image to your written content is to simply post it with and without the added visuals. This will quickly show you the benefits of using a visual marketing strategy. To go one step further, test the type of images you are using. Post the same piece of content but using two different images. Then, see which image works better and tailor your future posts to reflect this.

Using visual images in your content marketing strategy can be rewarding once you get a feel for what your audience wants to see.

The main objectives are to create engagement, be relevant, convey information and build your brand. So start adding images to your written content today and measure the success for yourself. n

CONTACT Kerrin Smith BUSINESS Kerrin Smith Photography |

Film | Art +61 (0) 457 229 087 www.kerrinsmith.com.au PHONE

WW MARKETING

Blogging for your business

TH E H OW A N D W HY

What tools are you using to attract online traffic to your business? SORCHA MULLIS suggests you consider the benefits of blogging to market your small business.

Research indicates that blogging brings in five times better referral traffic and two times better organic traffic than the product and service pages of a business website. It is the creation of new, useful and relevant content on a regular basis that drives traffic to your site.

Industry visitors – individuals within the industry are looking for opportunities and credibility. Sites that rank highly on search engines will draw a lot of traffic interested in networking. Instead of allowing them to spam your new blog, look for ways to leverage their skill so that you can extend your reach.

Blogging must be an element in your marketing campaign. The more you blog, the more traffic you draw to your site. However, before you launch a new blog, understanding what it takes to draw traffic to your site is essential.

Each visitor will have different interests, but the information found on your blog can help satiate their hunger for information if you know how to present it. In the end, you will drive traffic to your site, improve your site’s ranking and increase sales.

First, consider the type of traffic you get from a blog post.

Existing and potential customers – drive them to you by meeting their needs. What questions are you often asked by potential and existing customers? Help get them over the line before they even contact you by answering these questions, building their trust and offering a value-added service.

Search engines – give search engines the information they are looking for – good content. From articles to videos, make sure you are discussing topics related to your core keyword themes, but don’t be afraid to think outside the box and cover a tangent topic. With Google’s Hummingbird update (recent ‘big’ update to their search engine) they are getting better at recognising human expression and how topics and themes relate to each other, rather than relying solely on exact keywords to determine what a piece of content is about.

HOW TO BLOG When you already have a web presence, creating a blog is easy. For maximum benefit, add your blog to your existing website, rather than create another domain solely for the blog. Then you will benefit from the ‘domain authority’ already built up on your domain, and can use the blog to continually improve the content of your website and bring in ‘long-tail’ keyword traffic.

Start by being an expert There are a lot of things you can blog about so make sure your blog is focused. When you tie your blog to your existing business, you can exploit your knowledge base and help your existing and potential customers resolve issues. The key to meeting their needs is useful information. Simply posting without an objective will not help you build a loyal base.

Give yourself the competitive

advantage

Incorporate search engine optimisation Many of the same strategies you use on your website will help you drive traffic to your blog posts, including Search Engine Optimisation (SEO). Researching and using the keywords that are essential to your business will help you get the traffic and build your reputation and your rankings.

Make frequent posts Blogging isn’t something that you do periodically. To have a successful blog you must maintain it. Studies show that increasing your number of blog posts from 11–20 to 21–50, for example, increases your site’s traffic by 45%.

Engage your customers when you blog Posting a blog and waiting on traffic is not going to get you the results your business needs. You must market your blog. Social media is a great way to introduce potential customers to your blog. The ability to quickly share a post with your whole community of followers can help you expand your business reach. It’s estimated that companies with blogs generate 125% more leads than those without. With those results, why would you not blog? Blogging allows you to broaden your customer base, even if the process is gradual. Once you have a following, all of your hard work will be rewarded. n

CONTACT Sorcha Mullis BUSINESS White Chalk Road PHONE +61 (8) 9361 9534

www.whitechalkroad.com.au

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WW NETWORKING

ICEBREAKER OR DEAL BREAKER knowing the difference Do you know the correct etiquette when it comes to connecting with someone for the very first time? If you don’t, says ANNEMARIE CROSS, your approach might sour a relationship with someone who may have become your biggest advocate.

Whether networking with someone online or offline there is one principle you should follow. Unfortunately, even today, there are many people who are either unaware of this principle or are simply ignoring it.

Just last week online, someone requested to connect with me. No sooner did I authorise our connection, the very next email I received from him was: “Hello. I would like to bring your attention towards online business. I have the great idea to earn money here and there. Contact me I will help you in a better way to grab your success.”

Ignoring the fact that the email was full of grammatical errors, the sender had not taken the time to get to know me, or find out what I needed support with.

This was not an icebreaker but a deal breaker.

I reported his email as spam and immediately blocked him from my contacts. Sadly, this can also occur with face-to-face networking.

With networking it’s vital to understand that the number one principle is relationship building first and foremost – NOT selling.

Here are four Icebreakers you can use the next time you attend a networking event.

ICEBREAKERS Tell me about your business and the work you do?

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I have a large network. Who is your ideal

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client so I can keep your name handy as a reference should one of my network contacts be looking for someone with your expertise?

I’ve been hearing of some of the changes in your industry – what are some of the challenges that you’re facing that I can support you with?

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And these are deal breakers too: Taking people’s business cards and subscribing them to your newsletter or email database and emailing them without their consent. [Note: this is not only a deal breaker, it is illegal].

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Speaking to a number of people and then:

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What are some of the projects you are working on at the moment?

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All of these icebreakers put the other person in the limelight and focus on them and their needs. Learning more about a person, their business, and their needs is priceless as you could become an incredible resource for them, as well as someone they will get to know, like, and trust.

Now, let’s look at seven deal breakers you will want avoid.

DEAL BREAKERS Talking ONLY about you, you and guess who? You.

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Interrupting and bringing the conversation back to your products and services each chance you get.

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Doing all the talking and not letting the other person get a word in.

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Going in for the sale, despite the other person not mentioning a need or interest in purchasing your products or services.

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Not listening to what other people say.

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20 WORKING WOMEN® n Summer/Autumn 2015 – www.womensnetwork.com.au

1. Sending them a bulk email with all of the email addresses showing; 2. Focusing the entire LONG email on yourself, your products and services.

Let me ask you, if any of these things were to happen to you at the next networking event you attended, would you be likely to recommend or become a client of the person who did these things?

That is highly unlikely. So, don’t be tempted to use any of the deal breaker tactics as you will only be jeopardising an association with someone who could have become a huge advocate for your business had you taken time to nurture the relationship.

Think relationship first and foremost. When you do, the business will follow. n

CONTACT Annemarie Cross BUSINESS Communicate Your Brand PHONE 1300 137 576

www.annemariecross.com

WW NETWORKING

HOW TO BUILD A At some point in time we all face challenges with no support network. JEN HARWOOD outlines how to best cope when you are on your own and faced with social or emotional isolation.

All business owners at some stage will lose some or all of their trusted confidants and friends through normal life events such as relocation, loss of key staff, illness or even divorce. Such events can limit your capacity to work effectively and often lead to a cash flow crises in your business. So what strategies can you put in place to cope with the fall out?

Sometimes business owners don’t even notice they have lost or even cast away their trusted confidants because they are too caught up in the dramas of life and business.

Many times they are in survival mode with their ‘current crisis or challenge’. When this happens, business owners can become angry, short tempered, overwhelmed, over emotional, or distant, withdrawn and disconnected.

Often they will stop talking to people who can offer sound advice and strategies because they are emotionally overloaded and isolating themselves from the outside world. They don’t ask for help, don’t listen to advice and start to make poor decisions and choices because they don’t have a great perspective on the bigger picture.

Being a lone wolf has been promoted over the years as the ultimate business leadership skill.

But, being a lone wolf and trying to survive and manage a business, care for ageing or dying parents, kids, marriage, divorce, re-location, and poor health is an exhausting experience and causes us to make poor choices and decisions.

Have you ever make a bad decision because you were on overload, alone and up to your neck in responsibility, obligation and commitment? Have you found at that crucial moment of decision you didn’t consult anyone for an independent perspective and found yourself making a choice that you regretted later?

Profound business leaders don’t operate as lone wolves - they share these common traits: They have a vision for where they are headed.

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They bring new people very slowly into their world.

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When they do accept a new person, they trust them 100% and focus on working with them for the long term.

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They manage boundaries exceptionally well.

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They have an intimate group of at least eight people, who they trust to talk to about all aspects of their life and business giving them perspective, balance and insight.

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The first four points you can do on your own.

The last one, which involves surrounding yourself with an intimate team who you can trust to support you is the one that is most critical to your business success.

You need at least eight people that can support you in these four areas: emotional, mental, physical and spiritual.

How do you choose these people? It’s simple; they share the same values as you, there’s mutual respect for each other and you feel good being with them. When you find them, get clear about the role you want them to play in your life and then either ask them to specifically support you or just spend time with them and absorb their greatness into your life.

Your business and your life deserves to have a solid support network built around it.

Remember, no one ever becomes great and stays great all by themselves. n

It’s essential to have great people around you.

You need more than one person, and it can’t just be your husband, lover, best friend, parent, child or siblings.

THE GREATNESS PRINCIPLE

CONTACT Jen Harwood BUSINESS The Jenerator! Pty Ltd PHONE 1300 791 291

www.thejenerator.com

™

The Greatness Principle™ has been written for leaders in the three main areas of influence in our community – corporate, small business and family. Wherever you lead in your work, business or life, this book is a MUST to ensure your support system is in place to create GREAT results for all.

Jen Harwood, leadership expert, has been working in the field of business leadership and success for over 15 years. This book’s concept is simple, yet incredibly powerful and when applied to your business, your workplace or family, magic happens. Jen is extremely excited to be releasing this information as her clients have been asking for it for the last few years.

For more information please call 1300 791 291

Buy your copy now at www.greatnessprinciple.com www.womensnetwork.com.au – Summer/Autumn 2015 n WORKING WOMEN® 21

WW SALES

How to develop a successful

prospecting script

Self proclaimed cold calling Queen, ASHLEIGH HOULT provides you with her top tips on developing an effecting prospecting script.

One of the best tools you can ever have in your sales tool belt is an effective prospecting script. Having one on hand is often the difference between success and failure in a prospecting campaign. But creating one is not always an easy task.

Prospecting is an essential part of any business’s success. Regardless of how healthy your bottom line is right at this very moment, if you are not constantly prospecting, your business is in danger.

Many sales people make the mistake of working from a tired, predictable telemarketing script when they are making their initial lead generation and appointment setting calls.

If your sales call sounds too ‘scripted’, your prospects are likely to feel defensive and become more reluctant to talk with you or open up to the possibility of meeting to hear what you have to say.

Here are some tips to assist you to create a positive, efficient and effective call script:

Understand your goal for the call Before writing a call script, you need to determine the goal of the call. For example, is your goal to close a sale, simply establish a relationship, gather some information, or to schedule an appointment? By having your goals identified, you will clearly set the stage for the script.

Develop a clear and concise elevator pitch

WANT TO RECEIVE HIGHLY QUALIFIED SALES LEADS FOR YOUR BUSINESS?

At the very beginning of your call script you should open with your ‘elevator pitch’. An elevator pitch is a brief, persuasive speech that you use to spark interest in what you do. You can also use elevator pitches to create interest in a project, idea, product, or in yourself. A good elevator pitch should last no longer than a short elevator ride of 20 to 30 seconds, hence the name. Elevator pitches should be interesting, memorable, and succinct. They also need to explain what makes you, or your business, product, or idea unique.

Ask great open-ended questions The questions you ask in a prospecting session are more important than the answers you give. You need to make sure you have focused, insightful questions that help position you as an expert. Prepare your questions and make sure they are open-ended.

Anticipate objections Each time an objection materialises in a conversation, and know that they will, you will need to handle it appropriately. Most objections are common to all sales situations, so you should have little or no trouble listing them out. Write down all of those you believe you are likely to receive, and how you can respond to them positively.

You don’t want a script that sounds like a sales pitch, instead, you want to open up a conversation that will engage the listener and get them to talk with you as well.

Prospecting and having a perfected script for this activity will open more business opportunities that are new, fresh and flexible.

Remember, you as the caller are in charge of how the conversation flows so you can define the situation the way you want it; and it also depends on you as the caller as to whether the call will turn out to be successful or not. n

Write in a natural voice Your script needs to sound natural, so try to write like you talk. Record the script and play it back later, listening to the way it sounds and not just the way it appears on the page.

CONTACT Ashleigh Hoult BUSINESS The PromoDonna PHONE +61 (3) 9908 2440

www.thepromodonna.com

The PromoDonna is a national sales and marketing firm. We create high quality B2B sales leads and meetings through cold calling and prequalification. The benefits of our services include: • We give guarantees for the number of sales leads you’re looking for!

• We can fill your sales pipeline with qualified sales meetings, so you can focus on your core business • Never again have any quiet periods where you don’t know where your next sales leads are coming from • T hrough outsourcing a telesales person, you don’t have to go through the hassle of recruiting, training or managing someone new • We also provide prospecting Training to enhance the skills of an individual or Team If you’re looking to grow your business in 2015 and would like a Team of professionals to fill your sales pipeline, contact Ashleigh today to have a tailored solution put together for your business. Mention Working Women and receive 20% off any quote before 31 May, 2015 WEBSITE: www.thepromodonna.com PHONE: +61 (3) 9908 2440 EMAIL: enquiry@thepromodonna.com FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/ThePromoDonna

22 WORKING WOMEN® n Summer/Autumn 2015 – www.womensnetwork.com.au

WW BRANDING

How to navigate 3 hazardous

BRANDING SENARIOS

For your products to be chosen loyally above those of your competitors, or to rise above price wars, you must develop your brand and safeguard its value. EMELYE LOVELL highlights three branding hazards and offers tips on how to avoid brand value erosion.

Everyday brand protection often comes down to whom you entrust with your brand and their comprehension of brand usage guidelines. Without a trustworthy marketing team, a major danger zone for brands is alliance strategy. Done properly, it can pay dividends, but all too often it just causes heartache.

CROSS MARKETING This is where Pizza Hut recently went wrong.

(Note: only one franchise store made this error but the audience indiscriminately sees it as Pizza Hut as a whole brand). Pizza Hut (Mount Waverley) agreed to a cross promotion with Pets Story, a nearby pet store. The promotional banner read, ‘Buy any 10 large pizzas and get one free small animal from Pets Story’.

First and foremost, the practice of giving away live animals as prizes is immoral. Beyond this, the brands do not complement each other, nor does Pizza Hut have anything to gain from aligning with the relatively unknown Pets Story brand. In the days following the promotion launch, Pizza Hut social media was overcome with hateful threats of boycott.

How do I minimise risk in cross marketing?

Only enter into cross promotions with respected brands you know and trust, which share your values and complement your brand character. Sign off on every published piece and conduct thorough press checks.

BRAND LICENCING AND FRANCHISING A brand licence can be purchased from established brands for use on other products.

For example, the Playboy brand applied to linens by Adairs, or lingerie by Bras’n’Things.

The products are branded as Playboy, but are actually made and owned exclusively by Adairs and Bras’n’Things, respectively. This model is like franchising: one business pays to brand itself as part of your network.

The potential danger lies in audience perception: they see products with your logo and associate them with you, not the licensee or franchisee.

How do I minimise risk in brand licensing and franchising?

If another brand wants to licence or franchise your brand, you will need to have absolute clarity across the products on which your brand will be applied. Does the quality of the product uphold that expected from your brand?

Only sign your name on work you are proud of, so to speak. Binding legal contracts are required to ensure both parties are protected.

CO-BRANDING Co-branding occurs when more than one brand is used on a product. For example, a Dell computer also displays Microsoft and Intel logos, and a bottle of Mount Franklin water sports a Breast Cancer Foundation logo. A major benefit of co-branding is the creation of a combined brand value that is perhaps greater than either brand alone. It can be a warranted, successful strategic manoeuvre.

Potential hazards include the other brand dragging your brand into disrepute should it be tarnished by any bad publicity. This is why sponsors often drop sporting clubs or

IT’S THE TAGGED SOCK THAT DOES THE TALKING! Signature socks branded for:

• Leisure and sporting clubs • Corporate and business groups • Health and fitness groups and clubs • Charity marathons and events • Schools and University faculties • Children and aged care centres • Celebrations and fundraising

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individual athletes as a consequence of illicit behaviour, so their brand is not damaged via association or perceived condoning of the incident or behaviour.

How do I minimise risk in co-branding?

If you are thinking about co-branding, consider what your brand has to gain from the partner brand. Research whether your customer base is motivated by that brand. Consider alignment of values and past evidence of this. Control any use of your brand by the partner brand, and provide training on your corporate style guide to avoid any mistreatment of your logo.

Many branding incidents arise from one individual’s behaviour so use your common sense and natural judgement of character to ensure you only work alongside people you trust and feel safe with. Never make any sudden decisions to enter into brand alliances, always work through these five S’s: Similar – choose brands close in value and vision

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Soundboard – ask your advisors before committing

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Styleguides – essential for visual protection

Supervise – review and approve all brand applications

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Safety – consult legal advisors if unsure. n

CONTACT Emelye Lovell BUSINESS Bellman.

PHONE +61 (3) 9049 5555

www.bellmanagency.com.au

What you make people feel is more important than what you make.

IMpACtfUL BrANdING WWW.BELLMANAGENCY.COM.AU

www.womensnetwork.com.au – Summer/Autumn 2015 n WORKING WOMEN® 23

WW BRANDING

What’s your perfect brand of

COLOUR?

Deciding on a colour for your business logo and branding can be a tough call. So how do you know you have made the right choice? JEANNE TRELOAR comes to the rescue with on trend colour branding advice.

There are no hard and fast rules, but knowing something about colour theory and which colours work well together can save you a whole lot of time and money when you are creating your logo and brand.

Although there are countless combinations of colours available, there are two types of theories to keep it simple and easy: complementary and harmonious.

COMPLEMENTARY Complementary colours are those that sit opposite each other on the colour wheel.

Say, for instance, that you really want to use blue in your branding and are unsure what other colour would work well with it. For a complementary blend, you would choose orange. Remember the old Telstra combination? That particular blend is corporate and communicates professionalism and success. Of course, then you can use different levels of saturation so that you might use a sky blue with a terracotta orange, or a deep blue with fluorescent orange. Changing the tone of the colours can completely change the feeling, or mood of your branding.

There are three basic complementary colour blends that will always work well together:

a secondary colour (orange, green and purple).

Blending two primaries together creates secondary colours, for example, green is made with blue and yellow.

HARMONIOUS Using three colours that sit next to each other on the colour wheel creates harmonious colour blends. This combination gives a softer brand and is most commonly used for businesses associated with health and nature.

An example would be the use of blues and purples – the colours are similar and have a common primary colour (blue). Rule of thumb is to choose one dominant colour, a second colour for support and a third for an accent.

Another way to decide on the brand colours most suited to your type of business is to look at the attributes of colours, their meaning and how your audience interprets them.

Here are 7 colours and their attributes: Red is the colour of passion; it stands for power, love, energy and fun. If your business is all about enthusiasm and action, then like Coca Cola, red is a great choice for you.

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Blue indicates trust, reliability and intelligence. Think IBM; it’s corporate, confident and professional. Other attributes of blue include loyalty, peace and authority.

Notice that each of these three blends consists of a primary colour (red, blue and yellow) and

Green is for growth, organic, natural, fertility and relaxation. That’s why green is used a lot

Blue and Orange

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Red and Green

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Yellow and Purple.

in beauty and wellness branding; it’s the colour of youth, luck and healing.

Yellow is sunny, happy and bright. Think energy, joy, warmth and intellect. Yellow is often used in children’s branding; it’s a primary colour, the colour of creativity and light.

Purple is rich, luxurious and wealthy. Purple is also the colour of spirituality and magic; it’s mysterious and inspiring with a touch of soul.

Purple is a great colour for those businesses in spirituality and connectedness.

Orange is a strong colour; its attributes are determination and potency, success and vitality. Orange is encouragement and productivity and suits businesses that are strong and proud. The French love orange.

Pink is the feminine of colours; it exudes calm, stillness, serenity and peace. It’s caring, accepting and loving. That’s why pink is often the chosen colour for women’s health brands such as the National Breast Cancer Foundation.

With just this basic understanding of the psychology of colour and the combinations that work best together, you will find that developing your brand and choosing your colours will be a lot easier and clearer. n

CONTACT Jeanne Treloar BUSINESS Sassy Branding PHONE +61 (0) 413 374 634

www.sassybranding.com

Are you a sassy entrepreneur?

Intuitive graphic design and print services for your logo, website, business cards, flyers, banners, signage & facebook pages... just to name a few!

Call: 0413 374 634

jeanne@sassybranding.com www.sassybranding.com

24 WORKING WOMEN® n Summer/Autumn 2015 – www.womensnetwork.com.au

WW BRANDING

DOES YOUR BUSINESS shine in print?

Having quality, well-designed printed material doesn’t have to cost the earth. KELLY MARK outlines important tips that will help your business to be perceived positively on paper.

Have you ever attended a networking event, trade show or client meeting and been handed a cheap flimsy business card or brochure with poorly designed artwork and no consistent brand image? Branding and marketing are key components to the success of your business and using ultra cheap, economical materials will definitely give the wrong impression and could hinder your professional reputation.

Your print material continues to represent you and your company, well after you have left the room, so ask yourself: “What are my printed materials saying about my business?”

With the right logo design, a great layout and good colour choices, along with quality paper or card stock and professional finishing, you can ensure your promotional material is working to its full potential to sell your product or service, even when you are not around.

Print is tangible, engages multiple senses and is something you can hold, feel and even smell.

A high quality piece of print has an authority, carries a sense of prestige and is eye-catching.

It provides an amazing range of opportunities for your business to create beautiful, multisensory pieces of work that simply cannot be replicated in any other way. People respond to ink on paper differently to other marketing mediums, so take advantage of what a quality printed piece can do for your business.

Tips to ensure your business shines on paper: Use a professional graphic designer to

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design your logo and printed material – it shows. Invest the time to get your image just right and your artwork correct.

Be consistent with your colours, layouts, fonts and images. It really helps to have a consistent brand image in the market.

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Use fonts that are easy to read and not overly cursive. Even if you use up to three different fonts, keep it consistent.

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Know your colours and how they show on-screen versus on printed materials.

Choose your colours using the Pantone Colour Matching System as this will give you the most accurate indication of how your colour will look once it is printed.

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Understand that anything that looks good on screen may not look the same on paper. For print, images need to be high resolution at least 300 dpi (dots per inch), but for online use they only need to be 72 dpi.

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Print on a heavier paper stock, to give your brochures and business cards a sturdy quality feel. A gloss or matt finish can add a touch of sophistication to your finished product.

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If you are worried about the quality or cost of printing in colour, just printing your logo in colour can make all the difference.

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Print is tangible, engages multiple senses and is something you can hold, feel and even smell. A high quality piece of print has an authority, carries a sense of prestige and is eye-catching.

If you do not have any print ready files, it pays have your print materials reset by a graphic designer as photocopies really don’t give your brand the justice it deserves.

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If you are designing and printing your own flyers, a few words of advice: don’t put text too close to the edge of the page, keep it simple, keep fonts to a minimum and make sure you have good cropping skills, as crooked flyers don’t look great.

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Take the time to audit your business image and your printed material.

Whether you are a small, medium or large business enterprise, investing in your brand image and marketing material is a must. Your investment can be small or large, just make it consistent. Creating marketing material that speaks well of your business does not have to be expensive. With a little foresight, planning and consistency, you can create marketing materials that will speak highly of the work you do. n

Know that Word documents, Excel documents and Publisher files are not print ready files.

Most printers use layout programs such as Adobe InDesign and have certain specifications that need to be met in order to make the printing process run smoothly.

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CONTACT Kelly Mark BUSINESS The Print Group PHONE +61 (7) 3200 2777

www.theprintgroup.com.au

make a good impression.

Contact The Print Group today to see how we can assist with your design and printing requirements.

P 07 3200 2777 E sales@theprintgroup.com.au

www.theprintgroup.com.au www.womensnetwork.com.au – Summer/Autumn 2015 n WORKING WOMEN® 25

WW LAW + ORDER

BUSINESS CONTRACTS watch the small print

Signing a contract before fully understanding the fine print could place you and your business in danger. KATHERINE HAWES provides helpful advice on contract law.

As a business owner, it is fair to say that you may be required to sign contracts, or even prepare them for your clients. I know it sounds simple, but taking the time to understand the contract fully and get to grips with the small print can save you a whole heap of heartache!

It is always good practice as a business owner to hire a lawyer before signing any contact.

This is often seen as an unnecessary expense but with litigation on the increase, it may just be worth that extra cost to keep your business safe and mitigate the risk of a possible lawsuit.

You should always seek legal advice when drafting any contracts. These include:

An acceptance of that offer

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n Consideration – I will do something if you do something else.

2. Although legally contracts do not have to be in writing, oral ones are difficult to prove.

3. When reading a contract, always check the following: n Ensure the contract states what is expected of EACH of the parties with exact time frames, amounts and conditions.

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n Avoid assumptions. If something is not explicitly stated in the contract then unfortunately, is not arguable at a later date.

Remember, things that you consider common sense or that you “just discussed” might not have the same meaning for the other party.

n Partnership, incorporation or shareholder agreements

Ensure you fully understand all the definitions in the contract.

Licensing agreements

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Franchise agreements

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Employment contracts

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Subcontractor agreements

Lease agreements

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Mortgage, purchase agreements

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It is often the contracts which seem the most straightforward that end up causing the most heartache, and the most money to resolve.

If you do decide to go it alone, there are a few key things to pay attention to.

1. Ensure all contracts contain the following: An offer

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IP

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4. A lot can change over the life of a contract so make sure you agree on the conditions now and you will agree with them through until the time the contract expires.

5. Make sure there are clauses that clearly state the penalties for not meeting contract conditions and breaching the contract. Are the remedies enough to protect you in such cases?

Another issue that your legal advisor can help you with is custom contracts. Normally, a small

business will have standard contracts to deal with clients but every now and again a big transaction needs to be handled with more care.

The risks of drafting a custom contract without a lawyer become even greater when the other party is using legal advice. It is important to ensure the interests of your business are protected.

Remember, once you sign, you are legally obliged to comply, so make sure you know what your contract is saying … or not saying. n

CONTACT Katherine Hawes BUSINESS Aquarius Lawyers PHONE +61 (2) 9615 9635

www.newagelegalsolutions.com.au

Protecting your most important business asset Intellectual property (IP) can be the most valuable asset your business has.

Intellectual property plays an integral part in securing a leading market position and ensuring that competitors do not copy your innovations, ideas and reputation that create your competitive advantage.

Whether you have: n a new and distinctive shape or appearance for a product to be protected by a Design; n an idea or invention to be protected by a Patent; and/or n a name and/or logo to be protected by a Trade Mark.

Adept IP takes the time to understand your business and its needs so that we can help you identify, build and protect your IP, so that you can maximize and profit from your IP and “add value” to your business.

WORKING WOMEN READERS OFFER: Call (03) 9566 7241 or visit: www.adeptip.com.au to book a free no-obligation consultation. WNA Members receive a 10% discount off our service fees.

SIZE 5 Advertisement – Adept IP 26 WORKING WOMEN® n Summer/Autumn 2015 – www.womensnetwork.com.au Copyright ©1993 – ©2014 – WOMEN’S NETWORK AUSTRALIA – AUTUMN 2014

All artwork created by WORKING WOMEN Magazine is the property of WORKING WOMEN Magazine and must not be duplicated in another

WW OFFSHORE

Tackling the

Indonesian market

We all know people who have spent their holidays in Bali and come home with stories of the good, bad and ugly, so are there really commercial opportunities there? JENNIFER McQUEEN explores some home truths about setting up business in Indonesia.

The recently released Australia’s International Business Survey showed Indonesia was considered the fourth most challenging export market. The most frequent reason stated was understanding the local culture.

Other reports talk of traditions of corruption and bureaucracy, making Indonesia a complex place to do business.

Now some positive news. While the world chases itself to leap into the China and India markets, Indonesia, with a population of some 250 million, is the world’s third largest and fastest growing economy with a projected growth of 7% for next year.

Australia is actively engaging in Free Trade Agreement negotiations with Indonesia.

Indonesia is one of the greatest sources of foreign students in Australia and English is compulsory in schools and commonly spoken at senior management levels of business and government.

Indonesia is made up of over 18,000 islands, 6,000 of which are inhabited. It is one of the most moderate Islamic societies and the key cornerstone of Indonesia’s political state, the ‘Pancasila’, meaning ‘5 principles’, dictates amongst other things just and civilised humanity and social justice for all, including freedom of religion and beliefs.

Australian investment in Indonesia is in excess of $10.9 billion and there are over 400 Australian companies active in Indonesia across mining, agriculture, construction,

infrastructure, finance, health care, food and beverages, and transport. Over 40% of Australian businesses exporting to Indonesia do so directly from here, without the need of an agent or distributor.

use social networks to promote your consumer business as word-of-mouth is still king in getting the message across, consider making a short mobile based video to spread virally across these media.

The most significant opportunity (65% of growth) is in consumer spending, based on the rapidly growing wealth of the middle class and their disposable income. Australian business has deep expertise in a wide range of quality consumer products and services, which are attractive to this new middle class.

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Keys points in tackling the Indonesian market Bureaucracy is everywhere. Get to know the right person in government who can help you properly, without bribes – don’t bribe, once you start, they just ask for more. It’s really not necessary, in 30 years in business there, we have never bribed a government official.

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Indonesia is a face-to-face society. Get to know not only your customers, but also other people in and around your industry. Personal relationships are valuable in learning how they do things and also in providing help from unexpected quarters, and business is frequently done in informal ways. Work with local communities, learn from friends about local customs and remember, religious tolerance and patience are important, especially in how you run your business and work with your partners.

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Mobile internet and phone usage is high amongst the younger set, learn to go mobile with your advertising and communications,

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The language is one of the easiest to pickup, so learn a few helpful phrases. Above all, build and maintain trust among your group and peers. Don’t be there for the short haul, let them know you are in for the long run.

Indonesia is an important part of the ASEAN group of countries and has a high level of influence in the region’s activities. A presence there can be an important first step to tackling other ASEAN countries such as Malaysia, Thailand, Philippines and Vietnam.

Each has their own special challenges, but the Indonesian market is the largest and most promising of all, for many Australian businesses.

Jakarta, the capital, has a three hour time difference from the eastern states and there is a large Australian and expat community in Jakarta. The Indonesians are a sociable people and are generally considerate of others.

It can be a joy to do business there and let’s face it – the shopping is awesome! n

CONTACT Jennifer McQueen BUSINESS Ausnindo Consulting Group PHONE +61 (3) 8862 6363

www.ausnindo.com

Leverage off our 30 years of experience to take YOUR Business into the ASEAN region.

Ausnindo has been in international business consulting longer than anyone else in Australia.

If you want results, talk to us first.

Tel: +61 (3) 8862 6363 Email: consult@ausnindo.com www.ausnindo.com

www.womensnetwork.com.au – Summer/Autumn 2015 n WORKING WOMEN® 27

WW PRODUCTS

WhatWeLike

We love showcasing and introducing you to products savvy women have developed for the domestic and international markets. The products are as diverse as the businesses and careers of the dynamic women behind them.

AROUND THE OFFICE

Access all files quickly at any time whether you are sitting or standing. With the moll Rotafile rotary filing system, gain up to 70% more space. It’s an elegant and extremely versatile storage unit with individually rotating heightadjustable levels. An ideal filing system for a home office or where space is limited. RRP: $530.00. Visit: www.stretchnow.com.au

Best friends forever

Give the gift of friendship to your lifelong friend. This gorgeous ‘Friends for Eternity Bracelet’ features a beautiful grain set eternity symbol on a black silk cord with an adjustable pull fastening. In recognition that friendship can last a lifetime it can be worn every day with casual, corporate and evening attire. RRP: $95.00.

Visit: www.secrets-shhh.com

COLOUR & FORGET

No more smudged or barely there lippy with this stay in place product. LipSense is a long-lasting liquid lip colour that contains no wax and is completely lead free. It’s waterproof, doesn’t stain and you can’t kiss, smear or eat it off.

RRP: $66.00 for a trio that includes lip colour, gloss and remover. Extra lip colours can be purchased for RRP: $34.00.

Visit: www.senegence.com.au/lippysense

This beautiful serum is nature’s alternative to Botox! The facial serum uses the finest organic virgin plant oils and the rejuvenating effects of rosehip, avocado, carrot, apricot kernel and macadamia oils come together with exquisite camellia oil (white tea), to offer superior anti-oxidant qualities for your skin. Created to work deeply, yet it’s beautifully light, your skin will drink it up and thank you. RRP $89.00. Visit www.twenty8.com

Unwind from life Bruny Island luxury holiday home for rent

Bruny Island Getaway - Beachside luxury on Bruny Island Designed to make the most of its stunning location, this modern, craftsman-built house overlooking the beautiful D’entrecasteaux Channel, only l hour from Hobart, is yours to enjoy. Bruny Island Getaway is an affordable luxury two bedroom holiday house and studio with direct access to the golden sands of Nebraska Beach. It is the perfect location from which to explore and sample the gourmet delights of Bruny Island or simply relax, unwind and spoil yourself.

Book online or contact Susan Rallings on 0414 604 510

www.Brunyislandgetaway.com.au

28 WORKING WOMEN® n Summer/Autumn 2015 – www.womensnetwork.com.au

Nature’s botox

FREE DELIVERY AUSTRALIA WIDE

VEGE OUT

Are you getting enough fruit and vegetables in your daily diet? If not then you can bridge the gap between what you are eating daily, and what your body needs with Juice Plus+. Get 26 RAW fruits, veggies and berries in a capsule. It couldn’t be easier.

RRP: $3.80 per day. Visit www.FeTaylor.JuicePlus.com.au

Great gifts for all occasions whether it’s a gift for Christmas, Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, Birthday, Anniversary or just to say “Thank You”.

Naturally comfortable

Nurture yourself with soft 100% Australian Merino underwear. Ideal to wear all year round, especially in the heat, Wundies provide natural comfort and relieve sensitive skin including dermatitis and chemo burns. No underwire or side seams and they come in a great range of colours, styles and sizes. 5% of all Baa Bra sales goes to Dragons Abreast Australia. RRP: $66.00.

Visit: www.merinocountry.com

COME GET ’EM BOYS

What better way to enjoy a footy game at home? Every game will come to life when you serve the dogs up on this stand. Surprise and delight the boys in your life with this unique presentation idea. The hot dog and popcorn stands are fully reversible and the pack includes 12 x paper popcorn holders, a chalk board sign and stickers to personalise. RRP: $45.95. Visit: www.simplysweetsoirees.com.au

Offering exquisite 92.5 Sterling Silver, Gemstone & Pearl Jewellery. Including a beautiful range of classic, modern, designer inspired leather handbags

WANT YOUR PRODUCTS LISTED HERE? Email a professional product photo (tiff or jpg at 300 dpi) and a 60 word description including the RRP and the website address, where readers can purchase the product. Email it all to editorial@womensnetwork.com.au

M: 0400 990 881 E: info@marablak.com.au

www.marablak.com.au JEWELLERY & HANDBAGS

www.womensnetwork.com.au – Summer/Autumn 2015 n WORKING WOMEN® 29

WW SMALL BUSINESS SOLUTIONS

EA S I LY F O R G OT T E N

money making strategies A new way of doing business or attracting new customers isn’t always needed, according to SUE LESTER. Sometimes it pays to step back and reassess what has worked well for you in the past.

It’s very easy to get caught up chasing after the next new thing, latest technology, or be swept up by the speaker’s enthusiasm at a seminar. However, every new idea we chase requires energy and time that could be better utilised in other areas of your business. Whilst it is exciting and empowering to look forward it is also important to reflect and revive the income producing business ideas and concepts we’ve used successfully in the past.

Ask yourself, “What used to make me money that I’ve stopped doing simply because I’ve got too busy?”* Perhaps this will bring to mind a highly successful marketing campaign you can repeat.

Of course, this is where your ‘test and measure’ of every marketing strategy comes in very useful, but failing that, make an educated guess.

Consider what, if anything, needs tweaking or updating. Do you need a better system in place or more support staff to capitalise on a successful campaign? Ensure you have a way to measure and record your results.

Otherwise, go back to the start of your business when you first began really making sales.

Pinpoint what you did then, that perhaps you have stopped doing as well or as often, or at all.

Here are some strategies to get you started: Enthusiasm. In the beginning you overflow with it and it’s contagious. Are you and your staff still overflowing with enthusiasm for your widget or service? Or are you taking it for

n

granted? Know that apathy is also contagious.

Attention to detail. Have you stopped acknowledging client birthdays, or invoicing on time, and promptly following up on tardy payments? Do you telephone new contacts when you say you will? What did you used to do, to help your clients or customers feel appreciated?

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Feedback. Do you still contact new and regular clients for their feedback so you can continue to improve, and keep front of mind for them? Are you open to relevant suggestions or are you the sole expert in your own mind?

There’s a balancing line between being overly swayed by others and shutting out constructive useful feedback.

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Gratitude. Do your clients, customers, team, suppliers, networks know you are grateful and appreciate them being part of your success?

How did you show it before?

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Referrals. In the beginning you actively encouraged them to get your business up and running. Do you still do that, and reward those who do?

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Success stories. Is your response to “How’s business?” an enthusiastic success story?

It can hide that you are just starting out, or things are quiet, but importantly, the story is more likely to stick in the inquirer’s memory.

Grumbles and a polite “just great thanks” are missed opportunities.

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Personal networks. Are you sharing your

success stories and enthusiasm with your family and friends? Or just complaining about being too busy? These people are your springboard and safety net, so if you are feeling unsupported perhaps they are feeling disconnected from what takes you away from them.

Business networks. Who else has grown their business alongside you whom you can reconnect and do a joint venture with? Are you still sharing resources and connections?

Feeling too busy to attend events? Remember how recharged you became by being surrounded by motivated, enthusiastic, supportive business women.

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Choose one strategy, implement it, and if it achieves the success you hope for, repeat it.

Some strategies are more successful as a twooff, while others build their success through repetition and consistency. The key is to decide and act.

Remembering that money is only one form of wealth, where else can you apply this in your life? What used to make you feel happy, connected, sexy, energised or fulfilled that you have stopped doing because you got too busy?

Decide. Act. Enjoy! n *Acknowledgement: this key question came from Brad Sugars.

CONTACT Sue Lester BUSINESS Growing Content:

Smoothing Your Path +61 (7) 3103 2679 www.growingcontent.com.au PHONE

n

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Proud Member of InvoCare 30 WORKING WOMEN® n Summer/Autumn 2015 – www.womensnetwork.com.au

WW SMALL BUSINESS SOLUTIONS

DUAL ROLE

RESILIENCE

Family commitments, career frustrations and lack of career advancement are often deciding factors for women to leave employment and start their own business. KIRSTY O’CALLAGHAN says the original motivators often lose their shine as the harsh realities of starting a business take hold.

So, you’ve caught the bug and decided you are an ‘entrepreneur in waiting’.

Understandably you cannot afford to lose your weekly income, so you keep your ‘day job’ while you establish the business at the same time. It looks easy on paper, and you are convinced you are ready for the challenge. Then, why, after such a short period of time do you feel overwhelmed, burnt out and wonder why this new business venture isn’t making enough money for all the time and effort you are investing?

Research addressing women’s career transition from employment to business ownership measures the original pull of flexibility, independence and autonomy that lures women to leave their place of employment. But few explore women’s experiences after the transition. Did the lure of entrepreneurship live up to expectations, liberate, empower, or give them the ownership over their own working lives, or do they still encounter the same conflicts and challenges, but just in a different arena?

Some women take the leap with unrealistic perceptions and are ill informed of the barriers women encounter when starting their own business. It is essential to educate yourself in the realities of starting up and running a business so you have realistic expectations of what is required, and hurdles you will face.

Get the results you desire from home to workplace

You may be great at the technical side of your job, however, have you got great managerial skills? You may have a big dream and vision, however, are you able to translate this to sales?

You may love building relationships, however, can you get on top of the paperwork and day-today details?

learn from, and to eliminate. All too often you carry around ideas, beliefs and behaviours that do not align with where you are going.

This exercise will put you in a place of resourcefulness, and change ready and more open to new opportunity.

Another misconception is that when you run your own business your life will be more balanced and flexible. The truth is that business demands and the related stress often overlap into your home life causing issues in personal relationships, even in situations where family and friends are supportive of your venture.

This is the place you get real, become present and future focused, where you make plans and take action. Planning and vision is a big part of this step. Education, expansion and focus, no matter what is required with a never give up attitude is the groundwork here. Ask questions like are your timelines realistic, are you physically, mentally and emotionally prepared, are you taking action each day to make your dreams a reality?

Be realistic and understand that your business will absorb much of your time and emotions in the early years. You may have very little time to concentrate on your life outside of the business. If well planned and done with the right support in place you can be successful in your business venture, however, it takes tenacity, vision, support, constant education and reinvention and most of all, you being at your very best and most determined.

If you are driven to follow your entrepreneurial dream whilst still employed, the following Resilience Boosting tips will help to keep you on track.

R = REFLECT Take control and become present by reflecting on the past. Decide what you want to keep, to

• Create a real foundation to build on The 3R’s For Life© – Resilience • Relationships • Relaxation • Affordable and trustworthy services and products • Simple, practical and real solutions

Kirsty O’Callaghan Consultant | Speaker | Trainer UNITY-QLD www.unity-qld.com.au P +61(7) 3482 4295 M 0402 889 648

Counselling, Coaching and Training Service Corporate | Families | Individuals | Groups Get your free e-book today ‘90 Kirsty-isms’, to give you daily inspiration and motivation

R = REAL

R = RELATIONSHIPS Supportive relationships are imperative in business. Personally, you will need to clearly communicate with those affected by your transition, your vision and your strategies and where you require their support.

Professionally, you will have to clearly communicate your message and gather support, mentoring and guidance. You will need to make time for marketing, networking, shaking hands and sharing your service.

Resilience is having a positive attitude, optimism, and an ability to regulate emotions and to see failure as a form of helpful feedback. After misfortune, trauma, and setbacks, resilient people change course and soldier on, grow and find they have more, do more and can be more than they were before.

All of this and more is required of you when running your own business, but the rewards are worth it. And remember to always surround yourself with people who inspire you and make you better than you were yesterday. n

CONTACT Kirsty O’Callaghan BUSINESS Unity-Qld PHONE +61 (0) 402 889 648

www.unity-qld.com.au

www.womensnetwork.com.au – Summer/Autumn 2015 n WORKING WOMEN® 31

WW SOCIALLY SPEAKING

Google+

an overlooked business asset

When it first launched, many underestimated the capability of Google Plus dismissing it merely as an imitator of Facebook. But, as SARAH THOMSON explains, there is a big difference.

For the average personal user, Google+ offers some amazing integrations, particularly if you use products like Google apps to manage your calendar and your contacts. It offers simple ways of selecting who you share information with via ‘circles’. This feature is much more straightforward and obvious than a similar feature on Facebook.

In reality, Facebook is huge and no one will ever knock it down. But most people are on Facebook because most people are on Facebook. You don’t dare not be there as you will miss out on so many friends and their updates. But in reality, it cannot grow any larger and as our newsfeeds become more congested and our friends continue to overshare, we will see more and more people turn away from Facebook.

Google+ has been quietly building a huge following. As of June 2014, Google+ had 343 million active users (Facebook at the same time had 1.28 billion active users). This means that Google+ is currently about a quarter of the size of Facebook but is steadily growing.

Further, the latest results from Forrester Research, Inc (2014) builds a very strong case for Google+. Firstly, there is mounting evidence to suggest that the interactions that you as a business owner can have with your audience are much stronger on Google+. In recent months, Facebook made dramatic changes to its EdgeRank algorithm making it harder to

connect with your fans. On Google+, however, the space remains less cluttered and the result is better connectivity with your audience.

As well as providing your business with a strong and definitive link to your audience, according to Forrester Research, your posts on Google+ will get almost twice as much engagement as on Twitter. All of this means that the potential for your business on Google+ is huge.

So Google+ is great for your everyday person in the street as a serious alternate social media platform to share your life with your friends.

But as a business owner, Google has invested heavily in Google + making it an amazing business tool for you. My favourite tools on Google + that you can use in your business are:

Hangouts: Google hangouts allow you to connect with your customers. You can chat one on one or broadcast webinars. You can also record these hangouts and the recording is automatically optimised ready to be posted to YouTube. It is so simple and easy. It really takes a lot of the complexity out of internet videos.

Communities: This feature can in no way be compared to Facebook groups. It is so elegant in its design and layout. You can set up a closed community for your VIP customers or create an open community to share information. Your community can be customised and all postings can be grouped according to topics that you set.

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32 WORKING WOMEN® n Summer/Autumn 2015 – www.womensnetwork.com.au

So Google+ is great for your everyday person in the street as a serious alternate social media platform to share your life with your friends.

This makes searching and responding a much simpler task than on Facebook groups.

Pages and Posting: We all know that having a presence across social media enhances your SEO but the only posts that you make on any social media platform that will improve your SEO are those that you make on Google+.

Google have kindly put this free tool into the hands of savvy business owners who have a Google+ page. By regularly updating and posting on your page, you are actively working on improving your own SEO, all at no cost.

To get started on Google+, you need to have a Gmail account. From there, setting up a Google+ account is fairly straightforward.

It is vital that you set up your Google+ account in your personal name. From your personal Google+ account, you can then set up a Google+ page. This will be where you set up and create your business profile.

Good luck getting started and getting more from this amazing platform. n

CONTACT Sarah Thomson BUSINESS Online Social Butterfly PHONE +61 (0) 433 533 263

www.onlinesocialbutterfly.com.au

WW SOCIALLY SPEAKING

IS YOUR BUSINESS A

social business?

ANNA CAIRO looks at the fading out of transactional buying, with social media now fuelling the consumer demand for a total buying experience.

Social media’s impact on business is being experienced in many powerful ways and social business is the latest buzzword doing the rounds along with engagement, collaboration and connection. But what does social business actually mean?

To start with, social media is much more than technology; it is cultural and social.

Further, mobile technology and the ease of communication mean that communication now comes ‘with us’ as opposed ‘to us’. This combination is arguably altering the way we interact, how we connect, how we search for and receive information, the way we make decisions, how we buy things and how we communicate.

These impacts are being felt across society in ways that we are struggling to understand.

Businesses whether large or small need to aim at becoming a social business and to embrace social media and other technological tools.

Add to this the fact that human beings are social creatures and social media provides a great platform for the social element to come out. This social element through technology is changing the business paradigm to a degree because customers are changing the way they interact with businesses. At the core of business is communication, customer service, engagement between people. Social business is about bringing all these elements together in the online space. It is the integration of

technological, social and cultural aspects into the business processes, practices, operations and management of a business. It is the capability of businesses to create value by bringing together people, businesses and expertise so that users (consumers) have improved information to make informed decisions with online information.

Consumers now use social media to make decisions about what to buy or whether to purchase a product or service. They browse product reviews, read testimonials, check blogs, watch YouTube or simply ask their network for recommendations. Over a period of time this grows organically to provide a collective knowledge of intelligence about products and services, which is fundamentally beneficial to consumers when making decisions.

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR BUSINESS? Businesses that tap into this intelligence can create significant competitive advantage.

Buying and selling is now more than just features and benefits, it is about sharing information and providing value. It is a different kind of buying; individuals want to have an experience as opposed to just buying things. They don’t want to be sold to or marketed to. That is not an experience, it is a transaction. That is why marketing on social media doesn’t work effectively.

Individuals want to connect with businesses to find out what they are about. They expect more

How to Attract All the Clients You’ll Ever Need You’ve had some success in attracting clients, but it’s inconsistent. You are now ready to take a gigantic leap forward in your business for a more profitable lifestyle. What you really seek is clarity in your marketing, guidance on your next steps and specific ‘how-to’s’ for results.

JOIN ME FOR A ONE DAY WORKSHOP ON HOW TO: • Clarify Your Compelling Marketing Message • Get More Ideal Clients • Build your Database • Systematise Your Business 25 February | 27 May | 29 July | 28 October Each participant will receive a FREE copy of ‘Easy Marketing for Women’ eBook & Audio Email: Deborah@deborahjackson.com.au or www.deborahjackson.com.au/workshop Book Deborah for Speaking: at your next conference, event or business meeting where she will motivate your audience in their business and life.

from businesses than they have previously.

They want to shop, buy or engage when it suits them not the business. This is a fundamental shift in the business versus customer relationship. The customer now has much more say, more information and more choice available to them.

Transforming a business into a social business involves creating online communities that bring together businesses, employees, the public and relevant stakeholders to share knowledge and expertise. By doing this, businesses are able to create value, engage, collaborate and co-create to solve challenging problems and issues, all happening in real time and which transcends time and place.

Businesses whether large or small need to aim at becoming a social business and to embrace social media and other technological tools.

As customers demand and expect more from business, those businesses that genuinely connect, provide value and build relationships are responding to these shifts in consumer behaviour. Businesses that are better placed to respond to consumers’ needs and trends will be able to innovate and gain a competitive edge over their competitors because they are listening to what their customers want and need. n CONTACT Anna Cairo BUSINESS Anna Cairo Consulting PHONE +61 (0) 417 010 877

www.annacairo.com

Social Media in the Workplace Is your workplace equipped and protected?

In the workplace, social media provides both opportunities and risks. Is your business: • Concerned about social media reputational, legal and operational risks?

• Not sure how to manage social media risks and intergenerational employees?

Anna Cairo Consulting facilitates practical solutions tailored to your business.

Workshops | Policy Writing | Consulting E: anna@annacairo.com | www.annacairo.com

www.womensnetwork.com.au – Summer/Autumn 2015 n WORKING WOMEN® 33

WW BETWEEN THE PAGES

OfftheShelf

TOP SHELF

Whether it’s a beautifully bound book, CD or ebook the key to happiness and many of life’s questions can often be found within! Regardless of the delivery format authors have been resourcing, inspiring and educating us for centuries. Here are our top choices.

CUT THE RED TAPE: MAKING LIFE EASIER FOR YOU, YOUR LOVED ONES AND YOUR EXECUTOR Rebecca Collett $9.99 ebook

Stress, worry, anger, frustration and exhaustion flood in as you try to deal with the logistical fallout of accidents, illness or death. Cut the red tape that complicates life with these light-hearted insights and tips to pre-empt life’s surprises. www.snowedundersolutions.com.au

A JOURNEY TO BECOMING YOUR OWN BEST FRIEND

Karen Chaston $27.00 printed

Are you stalled in survival mode, allowing perceived problems and limiting beliefs to run your life? This book will help you to identify the barriers you are placing in your own way and how to overcome them. www.karenchaston.com.au

NAVIGATING CAREER CROSSROADS

“We live in such a complicated world, where most people’s dream is simply to survive. Jane Jackson makes it very clear that this is not enough, we need to be aiming to thrive, especially when it comes to our career.

Jane takes a very broad and complex concept and makes it wonderfully real, engaging and relevant.

A great book for those wanting a richer life.”

NAVIGATING

CAREER

CROSSROADS How to survive thrive when changing direction

Andrew Griffiths Australia’s #1 Small Business and Entrepreneurial Author

Pa lmer Higgs

JANE JACKSON

RRP A$24.95

palmerhiggs.com.au

THE WEIGHT LOSS MINDSET

Monica Egan $21.95 printed A journey of infertility and weight gain, followed by triumphant success with both issues, inspired this book. Offering encouragement, guidance and inspiration to women who want to lose weight the healthy and happy way. www.theweightlossmindset.com.au

NAVIGATING CAREER CROSSROADS Jane Jackson $24.95 printed | $9.95 ebook

Learn how to not only survive but THRIVE when changing career direction!

From building your self-confidence, to creating a highly marketable resume and LinkedIn profile, this book will empower you to take control of your career! www.navigatingcareercrossroads.com

JANE JACKSON

WHAT MAKES YOU HAPPY?

Fiona Robards $29.99 printed | $9.99 ebook This book looks at ten key areas, ranging from finances to relationships, and through practical exercises and searching questions guides us down the path to finding our own simple solutions to stressing less and living calmer, happier lives. www.exislepublishing.com.au/What-Makes-You-Happy

PROBLEM DISSOLVING PROCESS CD

Sue Lester $27.00 printed | $19.95 download Dissolve your problems into solutions with this powerful neuro-linguistic programming process. Whether it’s a niggling irritation or a world peace size issue this CD will change how you feel about it. www.growingcontent.com.au

Not moving your business forward as quickly as you’d like? at business links australia we have accounting, taxation and business advisory expertise and experience under the one roof.

We provide real solutions to our clients problems so they can:

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Move your business forward with have perfect clarity about the business they are building and how to build it Business Links Australia enjoy the experience of business ownership and leading a team be satisfied with the financial return from their business step back from many of the day to day responsibilities build a sustainable and valuable asset which they can choose to retain or sell at some future point

1 Springwood Rd Underwood Q 4119 Phone 07 3341 1007 email info@blinks.com.au Web www.blinks.com.au

34 WORKING WOMEN® n Summer/Autumn 2015 – www.womensnetwork.com.au

WW BETWEEN THE PAGES

TOP READS THE PREGNANCY WEIGHT PLAN

Melanie McGrice $30.00 printed | $11.99 ebook The complete guide to maintaining a healthy weight leading up to, during and after pregnancy. Included are tips and tricks to boost fertility, customised weight plans for before, during and after pregnancy, and safe and sensible exercise programs. www.melaniemcgrice.com.au

THE POWER OF WOW! WHY THANK YOU MAKES DOLLARS & SENSE Caroline Kennedy $19.95 printed | $13.00 ebook

Make lasting improvement within your business. Discover the 7-step method that will help your business increase sales, retain staff and develop clients who rave about you. This book is packed with inspirational and practical advice. www.carolinekennedy.com.au

THE ART OF NETWORKING Jennifer Harwood $25.00 printed

Networking takes practice and is learned and refined over time. This book gives you the business tools and confidence on how to successfully network to grow your sales and business to create results. www.jenharwood.com

THE 10 SEEDS YOU MUST PLANT TO GROW YOUR BUSINESS John Matthew $14.95 printed

Want to grow your business but don’t know where to start? This book will give you the seeds to plant in your business to ensure ongoing growth and a bountiful harvest. Perfect for small business owners looking to grow their enterprise. www.switchdirections.com.au

THE CONFIDENT WOMAN: TAPPING INTO YOUR INNER POWER Linda Ellis Eastman $16.00 printed

A powerful must-read for women who seek higher self-confidence, increased self-esteem, personal empowerment and self-leadership. Written by 40 international coaches, consultants and experts. www.amazon.com

COOK 4 A CURE

Kim McCosker $24.99 printed

PICTURE THEM NAKED

Trish Springsteen with Jennifer Burrows $29.97 printed

Everything you ever wanted to know about presenting and public speaking and were afraid to ask. Practical, proven and positive techniques from experts who live their life on the stage. www.trischel.com.au/books

Cook 4 a Cure was written to commemorate the tireless work the National Breast Cancer Foundation (NBCF) does for breast cancer research, which ultimately benefits many fields of cancer. Proceeds from the sale of every cookbook will go towards funding much needed research to achieve NBCF’s goal of Zero Deaths from Breast Cancer by 2030. www.4Ingredients.com.au

The largest voice telephony company on the East coast of Australia and throughout Asia Pacific. abn: 21 092 489 364

This is Nell Sanderson, a member of the Women’s

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Network Australia - Give her a call for all your VoiceIVR. Give her a call for all your Voice Telephony requirements including

Telephony requirements including IVR. Call Nell now on 1800 777 428

Contact Nell now on 1800 777 428 or www.McGirvanMedia.com Look who’s been with us for 20 plus years

www.womensnetwork.com.au – Summer/Autumn 2015 n WORKING WOMEN® 35

WW PRODUCTIVITY

Nothing to feed the 5 strategies to family again?

SUPER You need this Guide now! ! ! ! !

!

! ! !

eal!Pla

nning

YOUR DAY

Do you struggle to keep focussed? LOUISE D’ALLURA offers five strategies to help keep your day on track.

Does this scenario sound familiar? Your day starts great, you jump out of bed, get yourself ready, put make up on, get the family sorted, drop the kids at school and then the day begins. Then somehow your rocket fuel gets replaced by vagueness.

Weird, right?

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+"PeMrsonality!™!Pro

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Uncover your Meal Planning Personality & take the stress out of serving healthy meals to your family Visit MealPlanningYourWay.com and take the quiz to discover your Meal Planning Personality®.

Once you know your meal planning personality, you can work with your strengths to cook the healthy meals you and your family want.

For women who work from home this scenario is all too common, their concentration during ‘office hours’ plummeting after the initial adrenaline rush of getting the day underway.

If this is happening in your life recognise what’s going on. The chances are that you do have routine and structure in your morning, but after that you do not. In essence you haven’t set your own agenda so you end up reacting to your day.

Here are 5 productivity questions that will help put a halt to your days just floating by.

1. Is there a theme to your day, week, and month?

While you might say you cannot plan because you work when your client’s work or you fit into their agenda, you also need to put yourself as a priority.

Discover tips and ideas for your personality to solve the ‘what’s for dinner challenge’. Be the Best Mum on the street!

Take an honest look and pick out the times of the day, week or month when NO ONE wants to see, talk or work with you.

Download right now – only $19.95.

Creating a checklist of the tasks you need to have completed each week or month means you will only occasionally need to readjust your tasks. If you don’t have time set aside for anything, NOTHING will get done.

MealPlanningYourWay.com

CHARGE

2. How is your planning and scheduling going?

Do you get stuck when left to your own devices? Do you have a system for knowing what it is you are keeping yourself on track with?

If you just look at what you need to do tomorrow, you will never get ahead. The trick is to do some ‘future gazing’ – looking at what needs to be done this week, next week and the week after, helps you prepare for ‘surprises’.

Having a system in place that lets you keep track of this and your recurring to do list and project tasks is key. You cannot function 36 WORKING WOMEN® n Summer/Autumn 2015 – www.womensnetwork.com.au

without writing down what it is you need to do, so batch tasks and map out your projects – even just the first few steps!

3. Are you doing the wrong tasks at the wrong time for your energy?

Did you ever stop to think that there could be a complete mismatch of energy levels and the task you are trying to do?

You want to be tackling your toughest tasks when your energy is high, when you can think clearly and power through the work with your natural rocket fuel.

4. Are you fully energised?

To work well, you need to think well, which means you need to eat well! When we are too busy, we either keep pushing through, or find ourselves coping with stress by grazing all day on food and tea or coffee, just to get through the day.

Energise yourself by getting plenty of rest, eating well and knowing what is in your food and how it can impact upon your brain’s ability to think. Start by eating quality lean proteins, nutrient dense carbohydrates such as fruit, vegetables and seeds, lots of filtered water and having regular breaks for movement.

5. Are you doing the task in the wrong location?

Depending on how your office or working space feels, it can be impossible to think clearly in certain environments. Take a moment and check if there is a clear space for you to work.

Does the space actually inspire you to perform the tasks you need to do? For example, do you prefer the background noise of a café to write?

Knowing how you need your office to function for the tasks you actually perform in it is key.

When you have big dreams for your business and career you need set your own agenda and create structure so creativity and clarity can propel you to success. n

CONTACT Louise D’Allura BUSINESS The Revamp Experience PHONE +61 (0) 408 723 559

www.TheRevampExperience.com.au

WW ON THE MONEY

Educating teens about money matter produces

stress free adults

ANDREA CINCOTTA outlines some of the recent research on this topic and highlights the undisputable importance of starting to learn about money management from an early age.

Money can make you sick – literally! For many Australians, financial matters cause stress, sleepless nights and overall worry they needn’t have. Women and young people are the hardest hit.

Last year’s APA Stress and Wellbeing in Australia Survey found that, “Financial issues remain the leading cause of stress amongst Australians with more than half of Australians identifying finances as a cause of stress”.1 If we look specifically at women, the top two (out of ten) causes of stress were tied: financial issues and family issues. Number four was remuneration/gender pay gap, and number nine was insufficient superannuation funds.

and non-profit) Australia wide, only 9% of these initiatives were targeted at women.3 Women lack the confidence and knowledge to make the bigger financial decisions. Women invest less frequently, have career breaks to rear children, are more likely to work parttime, end up with less superannuation to fund their retirement, and yet due to longer life expectancies, will outlive their male counterparts and require more savings to fund their retirement.

The teenage girls in our lives will shortly be young women, with jobs, income, bills, superannuation and many wonderful opportunities previous generations of women

“Knowing how to make sound money decisions is a core skill in today’s world, regardless of age. It affects quality of life, opportunities we can pursue, our sense of security and the overall economic health of our society”.2 “Knowing how to make sound money decisions is a core skill in today’s world, regardless of age. It affects quality of life, opportunities we can pursue, our sense of security and the overall economic health of our society”.2 When reviewing research on financial literacy in Australia and internationally, the two groups consistently disadvantaged by low levels of financial literacy are women, and young people aged 15–24. Women are less confident, less knowledgeable and less likely to build long-term wealth compared to men; and yet, of the 112 financial literacy initiatives conducted by 64 organisations (public, private

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Getting the right Financial Advice is never more important than when others are depending on you.

To make sure YOU have a backup in place, contact Arrow Focus On Wealth on 07 5530 3500 or www.focusonwealth.com.au

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have not had. Another important thing to remember is that many of the women surveyed are mothers and children learn the financial habits and attitudes of their parents from as young as seven years old. The overwhelming majority also get their ‘financial advice’ from their parents. If the parents have high levels of financial literacy, it sets the child in good stead. When they don’t, the cycle of poor money management is likely to continue.

knowledge on social media forums like never before. Superannuation funds are tapping into the market and offering free seminars, webinars and information sessions.

However, isn’t prevention better than cure?

The earlier we start with ‘financial guidance’, the more likely it is that our teenage girls will get off to a financially savvy start.

As we prepare our young women to enter working life and to become independent, strong and self-sufficient, educating them on money matters is paramount. Being in control of their spending and saving, knowing where their money is going, and thinking of their financial future, will lead to a sense of security and certainty. In this fast paced, ‘information age’ world in which we live, this will in turn decrease their stress levels and improve their overall wellbeing.

They will worry less, be in a position to deal with life’s emergencies and to grab life’s opportunities. Why wait until they are in trouble? Prevention is better than cure. Our young women need this. n Source: 1. Australian Psychology Association, 2013, page 19. 2. ASIC, National Financial Literacy Strategy, March 2011, page 4, Report 229. 3. ASIC, National Financial Literacy Stocktake Survey, 2013 Report.

CONTACT Andrea Cincotta BUSINESS FIT (Financially Independent

Some great organisations are emerging to help women, as it becomes obvious that help is needed. Professional women in the finance industry are collaborating and sharing their

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WW ON THE MONEY

How to lower your risk of an

AUDIT BY THE ATO

With the Australian Taxation Office increasing its activities within the auditing compliance sector, it’s not a matter of ‘if’ but ‘when’ you will be audited. KELLIE CLAY explains how to avoid red flagging yourself with the ATO. An audit is inevitable for most people at some point but there are ways to lessen the impact it will have on you. Ensuring you have an accurate and well maintained record keeping system; keeping receipts, bank, loan and credit card statements easily accessible and for businesses, maintaining an electronic accounting system is key.

Being able to access your information quickly and having clear records will ensure you can streamline the process of answering the ATO’s queries and will take significant pressure off yourself in the long run.

Individuals are generally audited for ‘unreasonable’ deductions. The question you should ask yourself is: “Would another person within the same industry deem it reasonable to incur that expense?”

For example, it is common practice for teachers to claim home office expenses for marking and lesson planning, however, it would not be common practice for a retail assistant to make a similar claim.

No one wants to pay more tax than is necessary and there are certainly ways to avoid that, but the old ‘smell test’ still rings true. If a rental property in a beachside location has only a few thousand dollars declared as rental income but 100% of the expenses are being claimed, the first thing the ATO will ask is: “Did you use the property as your own personal holiday home?”

Your claims may be completely correct but it is highly likely they will ask the question.

Businesses are an easy target for the ATO as there are a number of data matching options available. Those registered for GST can be investigated simply as a result of lodging a Business Activity Statement (BAS) that is out of the norm. For example, if a business has incurred a large number of expenses in a particular quarter, thus generating a BAS refund when normally they would be paying tax, the ATO will often ask for a copy of a handful of Tax Invoices to verify the claim is correct.

No one wants to pay more tax than is necessary and there are certainly ways to avoid that, but the old ‘smell test’ still rings true.

The ATO conducts data matching between the information declared on each BAS and the information declared in the Tax Return. The key checks are matching that the income recorded on the BAS matches the income recorded in the return (with the allowance for debtors depending on the accounting method used).

Another indicator is matching wages recorded on the BAS to the payment summaries issued to staff.

One of the most commonly used methods for the ATO to select a business for an audit is a tool referred to as benchmarking. When a business return is lodged, the accountant must include an industry code that is most relevant to that business, from this the ATO collates the details of those industries and determines the average sales versus expense ratios. If your business falls outside these ratios you can be

pretty sure you will be contacted by the ATO in the near future.

The ATO are accepting of circumstances where you may fall outside the benchmarks due to circumstances beyond your control, such as illness, however, good record keeping will be your only saving grace in these circumstances.

If you cannot prove your figures are legitimate, the ATO’s first assumption is going to be that you are pocketing ‘cash’, and they have the ability to amend your return to match the benchmarks, resulting in increased income tax and GST debts.

Although you are ultimately responsible for what information is lodged in your returns, it is important you are informed if you or your business fall outside these benchmarks, therefore increasing the likelihood it will place you under the ATO’s radar.

Many accounting firms also offer Audit Insurance, this unfortunately does not reduce your risk of getting an audit, it simply assists in paying the accounting fees incurred as a result of your accountant liaising with the ATO. Some Audit Insurance policies also cover you from investigation from any government body, including Centrelink and Child Support. n

CONTACT Kellie Clay BUSINESS TaxBiz Australia PHONE +61 (3) 9720 6811

www.taxbiz.com.au

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We listen to our clients and provide timely, innovative solutions that save them money, time and stress.

So please call Kellie Clay (WNA Member) today to see how we can help you +61 (3) 9720 6811.

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Creating SolutionS For Your Future

WW ON THE MONEY

Anyone can be wealthy

fact or fiction?

You may have heard before that the single most significant asset an individual has is their mind.

LEO ELIADES looks at how to discipline the mind to create amazing wealth.

The quality of the thoughts you experience produce feelings which in turn create certain results. Could your thoughts and mindset be restricting the results you are achieving and lowering your financial ceiling?

If you are not naturally gifted with a wealth mindset, what are the quality questions you need to ask?

1. Do I need to be thinking differently?

2. Do I need to increase the appreciation, confidence and love I have for myself?

3. Am I doing what I love or do I need to love what I am doing?

4. Am I in a receptive position to be learning from wealthy people?

5. Do I accept that failure is part of success and am I comfortable with failure?

6. What is my current relationship with money?

Wealth mindset thought patterns place you in an empowered position so that you are what you see and it does not make any difference how others perceive you. You do not minimise yourself but rather you are empowered and have self-belief.

When equal to all others the mind does not set any limitations or boundaries. Any restrictions that you place on yourself will restrict the mindset you require to create wealth.

Authentic happiness is a requirement, this means you need to be able to love and appreciate yourself. This is the precursor to others finding value in you and without this self-love it is impossible to find wealth.

The greatest obstacle for not loving and appreciating one’s self is living and not knowing one’s values or purpose. Everyone has a purpose however not everyone has found it.

Identify your values and purpose and see your goals and the quality of your outcomes will change. Your thoughts will become different, your feelings will become different and your body chemistry will be primed to support your new results.

With the right beliefs and relationship with money, you are able to learn from wealthy people as they become your allies.

Instead of this dialogue: “The person driving that expensive car should not be so full of themselves.”

“There is no way I could ever afford that holiday.”

You could be saying: “I love that car and I will buy it one day.”

“That is the exact luxury holiday I will take one day.”

Financial success depends on this self-belief and faith, and a wealth mindset allows for real plans with no limits.

Motivational

Free Speaker

Authentic happiness is a requirement, this means you need to be able to love and appreciate yourself.

Wellbeing can be defined as doing the things you enjoy and value and everybody needs to have this. To understand how money can enable all the things that you value, results in your inspired vision and your wellbeing.

An inspired vision and a wealth mindset is the reason some people have wealth and others only wish they had. This leads anyone towards being wealthy; that is a fact! The bad news is that without a wealth mindset it is impossible to create real wealth. If this is you, what will the problems and consequences be? What will you be giving away?

The good news is no matter what your current position or mindset is, it can be changed to benefit you. The consideration for anyone who looks forward to a life of wellbeing is, anyone can be wealthy!

Once you decide you want to lift your financial ceiling, the experience of a wealth mindset professional is invaluable in helping you achieve this.

The final question is, what is your next step, if any? n CONTACT Leo Eliades BUSINESS Inspire Now PHONE +61 (3) 9685 7564

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WW ON THE MONEY

Taking charge of your

$UPER CHOICES

It’s never too early (or late!) to take a look at your superannuation balance, performance and fees, according to BIANCA DEZOTTI, SUSAN RALLINGS and PATRICIA DOYLE, to see if it could be in better shape to grow at a rate to suit your long-term objectives.

Generally, we tend to spend a lot of time thinking about how we can save more money, budget more effectively and generate excess cash flow to help meet our financial and lifestyle goals. But how often do we think about our nest egg and check on how it is performing for us? Probably not too often, despite contributing a portion of our salary on a regular basis to assist with its growth.

Following the compulsory Superannuation Guarantee Act of 1992, further legislation in 2005 has given most employees a choice to elect their superannuation fund. If a new employee is eligible to choose their super fund, they must be provided with a Standard Choice Form within 28 days from the day they begin work, however, they are not obligated to complete the form.

As a new employee, if you don’t have details of options or know which fund suits you best, you may select your employer’s default fund out of ease, but how much do you actually know about it? You may view this as a ‘set and forget’ investment, but this should not necessarily be the case.

Your superannuation fund balance, portfolio performance, fees including insurance costs, and the amount of contributions all affect the amount you will have available in retirement.

So how much do you think you will need?

Industry surveys suggest funds to support a ‘modest’ lifestyle to afford basic

Annual returns to find lifestyle requirements

Portfolio Balance

Modest Lifestyle (single)

Modest Lifestyle (couple)

Comfortable Lifestyle (single)

Comfortable Lifestyle (couple)

$100,000

22.64%

32.6%

41.17%

56.32%

$200,000

11.32%

16.3%

20.58%

28.16%

$500,000

4.53%

6.52%

8.23%

11.26%

$1,000,000

2.26%

3.26%

4.12%

5.63%

activities in today’s terms would be $22,641 p.a. for a single and $32,603 p.a. for a couple.

A ‘comfortable’ lifestyle enabling a healthy retiree to have a good standard of living with the ability to purchase household goods, private health insurance, a reasonable car, good clothes and the occasional holiday would be $41,169 p.a. for a single and $56,317 p.a. for a couple*. The approximate maximum age pension for a single person is currently $21,018 p.a. and $31,689 p.a. for a couple.

So what might this mean for your super fund?

Your portfolio would need to provide you with the annual return (shown in the diagram above) to fund lifestyle requirements without eroding the capital portfolio balance and without considering inflation. For example, if you have $200,000 in superannuation and are single with a comfortable lifestyle, you would require an approximate annual return of 20.58%.

Increasing your fund balance earlier in life assists in compounding returns before you need to access them or while you are earning an external income.

Remember,

superannuation is a vehicle to help replace your income in retirement.

Different phases of life call for different funding requirements and there are many investment opportunities along the way, but you need to know about them to benefit! There are a range of superannuation funds that have different investment options from the basic ‘balanced’ portfolio option to more detailed ‘ethical’ investments, property exposure or direct share portfolio options where you can select specific companies to hold in your fund.

Depending on your situation, you may have different preferences to what your current superannuation fund offers. You may find it valuable to speak with an adviser who can compare a range of super fund options for you.

It can be advantageous to think about what your lifestyle and financial objectives are, both now and in the longer term to assist in putting the foundation in place to better suit your personal superannuation goals. n *Source: Westpac ASFA Retirement Standard research report, March quarter 2013, released 9 May 2013.

Important Information The information contained in this article is general information only. It does not take into consideration any specific needs, situations or objectives. Before making any financial decisions you should make sure you are comfortable that the strategy suits your needs and objectives, and your risk profile. If necessary, you should seek professional advice.

Bianca Dezotti, Susan Rallings and Patricia Doyle BUSINESS Morgans Financial Limited PHONE +61 (7) 3334 4982 www.morgans.com.au CONTACT

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WW ON THE MONEY

FINANCIAL PLANNERS sorting the good from the bad

Don’t place your finances at risk, become a part of the ‘Good Advice’ money story. These tips by DELMA NEWTON will help you to locate a qualified, professional financial planner who can be trusted to do the right thing.

Financial planning has been in the headlines recently and a number of Senate inquiries into financial planning have been carried out since 2009. Then again, the media tends to only pick on the ‘bad news’ stories. It rarely reports that thanks to seeing a financial planner many Australians are in better financial position being able to pay off their mortgage sooner, put their children through private schools, retire comfortably and remain in their homes when one partner has died or become disabled.

With all the ‘bad news’ surrounding the industry how do you go about finding the right financial planner for you? Ask your friends and family if they can recommend a financial planner, or try the ‘Find a Planner’ tool on the Financial Planning Association (FPA) website: www.fpa.asn.au.

Realise that you don’t have to use the first planner you see. Set up meetings with a couple of planners to assess who is the best fit for you.

Here are some questions you should ask: What qualifications do they have? Look for qualifications in financial planning, finance, economics or accounting. Many will have completed their Diploma of Financial Planning.

n

What experience do they have, and how long have they been advising clients?

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or redundancy occurs. All of these things can have a profound effect on your financial plans.

Let your financial planner know of any changes even it is outside your normal review schedule as they are there to help and take away some of the worry about your finances.

Do they offer full service financial planning or only a limited range of services?

Don’t get caught in a scam

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What type of clients do they have, and what are their clients trying to achieve? Are they in a similar position to you?

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What is their fee structure and what level of fees are normal in their firm?

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What range of products are they able to advise on, and if you have existing investments are they able to advise on those?

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One Senate Inquiry outcome was an online register of financial advisers to be established by March 2015 and maintained by the Australian Securities and Investment Commission (ASIC).

A great tool for consumers, this register will list all individual financial planners in Australia. It will cover things like: Qualifications;

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Professional association memberships;

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Any bans, disqualifications or enforceable undertakings; and

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Recent employment history.

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Ask what professional designations they have. For example, Certified Planner Planner® (CFP®) is the highest certification available worldwide, and means they are a member of the Financial Planning Association (FPA) and must adhere to the FPA’s Code of Professional Practice and Code of Ethics.

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Review your situation Your circumstances change over time, partners come (and sometimes go), kids arrive and hopefully someday move out, debts increase and decrease, inheritances are received, retirement approaches or ill health

Get on Track in 2015 We’ll help cut your 2015 goals into bite size pieces and put you on track financially.

Call us today on (07) 3018 0587 Email: delma@totalportfolio.com.au

www.totalportfolio.com.au 42 WORKING WOMEN® n Summer/Autumn 2015 – www.womensnetwork.com.au

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If a ‘deal’ seems too good to be true it usually is. If you are offered returns in excess of 10% per annum guaranteed, be very careful. ASIC’s www.moneysmart.gov.au site has a section dedicated to scams. For any ‘too good to be true’ deals check there first and seek advice BEFORE signing up for any and potentially losing your hard earned money.

Working with a financial planner over the long term can be very beneficial. You don’t need to have a lot of money to see a financial planner, setting yourself up on a good foundation is important. A financial planner will be able to review your situation and to give you guidance on the best way to achieve your goals and objectives. n Important information: The information contained in this article is general information only. It does not take into consideration any specific needs, situations or objectives.

Before making any financial decisions you should make sure you are comfortable that the strategy suits your needs and objectives, and your risk profile. If necessary, you should seek professional advice.

CONTACT Delma Newton BUSINESS Total Portfolio

Management Pty Ltd +61 (07) 3018 0587 www.totalportfolio.com.au PHONE

WW ON THE MONEY

Interest rate predictions – should you

fix or not?

As speculation increases as to which way the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) will move, BRONWYN TYRELL looks into the question of whether it is time to fix mortgage interest rates.

With growing speculation of an RBA interest rate change in 2015 (from a record of 14 months at the low rate of 2.50%), people are wondering if they should fix the interest rate on their mortgage.

Interest rate movements have always been hard to predict, but even more so now that banks are often choosing to move independently of the RBA changes!

Not too long ago, if the RBA increased the central interest rate by 0.25%, financial institutions would follow suit and increase their rates by the same amount. Likewise, the same follow on effect would happen if the interest rate was reduced.

However, in more recent years, financial institutions have started to move their rates independently of any RBA changes.

Competition between lenders plus other factors have driven the banks to not only move rates with the RBA, but perhaps also when they wish to compete for profits with other lenders.

This makes the argument for variable interest rates harder, as there is possibly more risk involved. The interest rate you pay is not just subject to changes the RBA makes, but potentially what the bank holding the loan decides to do with their interest rates.

The advantage of a fixed interest rate is that you are removing that portion of ‘risk’ from your mortgage repayments. You know what the repayments will be for a certain term.

This makes life easier around budgeting as you know exactly how much to budget for mortgage repayments (hopefully more than the minimum repayment, but that is for another day). Often when people go into their mortgage they look at affordability based on the current variable interest rates at the time.

What would happen if interest rates rose by 2%? This happened back in 2009 and 2010, and it was enough for many people to lose their homes. Some are still struggling with the extra pressure that this provided.

A 2% interest rise does not sound like that much. However, if you have a mortgage of $300,000 with an interest rate of 5.50% per annum, your minimum repayments would be $1,842 per month (assuming a 25 year term).

If interest rates go up by 2% (remembering they have previously done that), your new monthly minimum repayment is $2,216. This is an increase of $374 per month, or $86 per week! Can your budget handle this increase without causing strain or stress on you and your family?

But of course fixing interest rates doesn’t come without its downside as well. There is often costs associated with fixing the interest rate.

You are also likely to be very limited on making extra payments, no drawdown facilities and cannot really make any changes to the terms and conditions within the fixed interest period.

thinking of fixing your interest rate for the sole reason of wanting to reduce your interest costs, you may be slightly missing the point!

You need to remember that the main benefit of fixing interest rates is to remove the risk that rates may rise. You are buying an insurance policy against what may be the financial pressure, stresses and often dire outcomes of your interest rate increasing.

SO SHOULD YOU FIX OR NOT? You should review your current mortgage situation at a minimum once every 12 months and determine that your current option, fixed or variable, still suits your circumstances.

Low fixed interest rates have become increasingly popular, but you need to be aware of the limitations of, features and benefits of these loans.

And remember, there is a chance that rates will rise, and there is also a chance rates will fall.

This is your money, your loan, and every dollar saved or spent can make a potentially massive difference to your circumstances. It is not something to be taken lightly! n

CONTACT Bronwyn Tyrell BUSINESS Vivid Accountants

and Advisers +61 (2) 6056 1929 www.vividadvisers.com.au PHONE

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WW HUMAN RESOURCES

Implicit workplace bias with potential

LEGAL CLAIMS

MAUREEN KYNE explains what unconscious bias is and the negative ramifications it can have for businesses that refuse to address the issue head on.

When organisations address unconscious biases at work, they will make better decisions, increase teamwork and reduce multiple risks which can harm performance and results.

When first meeting someone we may get a ‘good’ or ‘bad’ impression about that person. And this ‘feeling’ might translate into an instant like or dislike, all based on a nanosecond encounter, affecting how we choose to interact with an individual afterwards. These gut-level reactions often don’t rise to the level of consciousness.

Frequently, we are not even aware of the choices we made when we made them, referred to as hidden, unconscious, or implicit bias.

In our workplaces, these biases can lead to bad and potentially illegal business decisions.

For example, individuals may review resumes and screen out qualified individuals whose name or background facts may reflect their origin of birth in favour of applicants with equal qualifications whose biographies suggest they are Anglo-Saxon. These forms of bias may extend to gender and other protected attributes.

This unconscious process can conflict with organisational commitments to maximise the best talents of applicants and employees and to avoid making decisions that are unfair, unwise, divisive, and potentially illegal. To overpower this hardy, hidden instinct, employers have to address it. The ultimate responsibility is to make sure that conscious decisions are not tainted by unconscious biases.

This is not a simple task; it takes awareness, time, and narrow, workable objectives. A single one-time dose of learning may raise awareness, and that’s important. But it won’t permanently change habits that are so deeply embedded in us and that many will deny having.

Studies suggest that the power of hidden bias tends to diminish the more we come in contact with people who represent groups where our biases may surface. This is promising; it suggests we should combat hidden bias, especially for situations where ‘relationships’ are not well formed, and where decisions may be made on paper qualifications or records without knowledge or familiarity of particular individuals.

Here’s a strategy for dealing with this issue in the workplace: Not all implicit biases can be addressed – organisations need to choose the areas which affect the greatest numbers of the workforce population and can cause the greatest organisational harm. A logical place to start would involve implicit biases tied to race, gender, religion, age, national origin, disability and sexual orientation.

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Awareness learning should be seen as part of a process, not a solution. Individuals need tools and actual behavioural suggestions for dealing with situations where implicit biases are likely to occur.

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In our workplaces, there are two major areas where hidden biases are most likely to take place:

employment decisions including hiring, disciplinary, promotional, wage, and any other decisions pertaining to terms and conditions of employment.

Routine interactions involving meetings and conversations where communications include not just what is said but also behaviours such as body language, tone of voice, gestures, and eye contact.

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For each of the above, leaders and team members need behavioural tools that they regularly and consciously follow to counter the possibility of their own unconscious biases.

Two suggestions: 1. Use specific processes such as simple checklists to evaluate applications, as well as pay and disciplinary records.

2. Teach team members the skills they need for raising and responding to issues of treatment that may stem from unconscious bias.

Finally, hold everyone accountable for the results of their actions. For instance, if the organisation requires behavioural checklists to be used, and it is discovered that certain individuals are not using them, then they need to explain why they failed to do so. n

CONTACT Maureen Kyne BUSINESS Maureen Kyne + Associates PHONE 1300 136 146

www.maureenkyne.com.au

Frequent actions concerning major

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Do your staff cooperate and work together well as a team?

YOUR WORKPLACE IS EVOLVING AND SO ARE WE……

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WW PUBLIC RELATIONS

Using ebooks to promote

YO U R B U S I N E S S

The Sleep Wear That Cares

Sharing useful information and resources is a sure way to elevate your profile and build your credibility.

CATRIONA POLLARD discusses the benefits to be gained by writing your own ebook and distributing it to customers, clients or potential new business contacts.

An ebook is a digital book, which is available online and on electronic devices such as iPads or Kindles.

business so when customers read the ebook they will come to you for more information or to work with you.

Ebooks are a great way to raise the profile of your business by showcasing your professional knowledge and expertise. By distributing the ebook you can attract new potential customers to your business, raise your brand awareness, promote your expertise and engage with your customers.

You also need to think about your target audience and write about something they would be interested in. The ebook should provide valuable information to your target audience, solve a problem they have or help them do something. If you don’t write for your target audience then they may not read your ebook.

Writing an ebook will give you instant credibility and allow you to position yourself as an expert in your field, giving you an edge over competitors and giving clients a compelling reason to do business with you.

PROMOTING THE EBOOK Here are some ways you can distribute your ebook:

Designed for comfort and style with a feel good factor, Healthy Sleepwear is the ‘Must Have’ garment for hospital stays, aged care, disability or injury rehabilitation, maternity and breast feeding.

The garment’s adaptive construction allows for simple unfastening at the shoulder, enabling the wearer to step in and out of the garment. The easy release design also provides modesty and struggle free access for undertaking medical procedures.

Being bed bound doesn’t mean you can’t look good and feel fabulous.

Made from luxurious, soft and silky bamboo fabric with wicking properties, Healthy Sleepwear keeps you warm, dry and fresh. With no uncomfortable seams it’s like sleeping on a cloud.

Use it as a free gift for existing and potential customers to generate good will.

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You can even sell the ebook as a product of your business and increase your income.

Publish it on your blog.

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BENEFITS OF WRITING AN EBOOK They don’t have to be long, you can write as much or as little as you like.

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They are inexpensive to produce and distribute globally.

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Customers can easily access them online, instead of needing to go to a bookshop.

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You can reach new potential customers and raise the brand awareness of your business.

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With more and more people using iPads, ereaders or smartphones to read books, creating content for these is a good strategy to get your information to a wider audience.

n

It’s a great way to start a relationship with customers and potential customers.

n

You can ask for people’s contact details in order to download the ebook from your website.

These details can then be used for developing new business or to add to your marketing database.

n

Promote it on social media and email it to customers who ask for it.

n

Use it internally to train and inform new employees.

n

Email it to people you have met while networking.

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Offer it as a product that people can buy from your business.

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Depending on your objectives you may decide to sell it or give it out for free.

Ebooks are a valuable tool for your business because they are inexpensive and fairly easy to produce. They help you to attract potential clients, build your business brand and increase your profile as an expert.

Once you have your own ebook you will wonder what you ever did without it.

Have you thought about writing your own ebook? n

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WW TRAVEL

Must see low cost attractions of

AMSTERDAM

Whether you are staying in a five star hotel or one of the comfortable hostels located in the beautiful capital of the Netherlands, JASON H. CUNNINGHAM says there are budget priced landmarks you won’t want to miss.

There is much more to Amsterdam than the Red Light District, windmills and coffee culture, and if you are planning a trip to this vibrant city you will be inundated with places to see and things to do.

Famous for its fabulous collection of art galleries and interesting museums, it is also very easy to spend your days in Amsterdam just wandering the streets, hanging out in the parks or simply strolling along the many kilometres of canal that the city is famous for.

Of course, the coolest ways to get around the city are by bike or canal boat so why not join the locals and experience the city from a completely new perspective?

Amsterdam by night is an eclectic city and the laid-back atmosphere is bound to have you relaxing, unwinding and socialising until the early hours. Many of the main attractions are world famous. Offering something for all ages and nationalities, visiting the lovely cultural capital of the Netherlands will create lifetime memories. To make the most of a stay in this delightful city without spending a fortune, there are a few notable destinations not to miss.

Singel This former moat once served to protect the old city, until expansion eventually outgrew it in 1585. Now it serves as a canal that connects many notable destinations together – from the Bloemenmarkt flower market to the Muntorren tower. Some Amsterdam hostels are within walking distance along the Singel’s banks,

Calling all

which makes it an excellent place for first-time visitors to begin their exploration.

Dam Square The Dam Square is the veritable historic heart of the city, though the sights are relatively simple compared to the more lavish attractions that surround it. The various buildings and landmarks in the square, however, have witnessed some of the Netherlands’ most historic moments – from the nearby Koninklijk Paleis (or Royal Palace) serving as the bureaucratic centre, to the Dam itself serving as the reception site of Napoleon’s takeover, in 1808.

Efteling If you’re a fan of theme parks, you will definitely want to check out Efteling. Not only is it the largest theme park in the Netherlands, but it is also one of the oldest thriving ones in the world. Of particular interest are the rides and attractions that revolve around the many beloved fairy tales that originated in the Netherlands, such as the Langnek and the Emperor’s New Clothes.

Van Gogh Museum If a busy schedule or a limited budget forces you to choose only one museum, make sure to visit the museum dedicated to one of the most recognisable artists in the world. It houses 200 paintings, 400 drawings and 700 letters, highlighting Van Gogh’s artistic development over the years as his work moved through sombre earth tones to vivid, mesmerising

palettes of colour.

Civic Guards Gallery The Schuttersgalerij is home to an extensive collection of artworks depicting Dutch society throughout the years. What makes it stand out in this list, however, is its free admittance.

Anyone can walk in and appreciate the works on display. The exhibit itself is small compared to its grander neighbours, but the free entrance makes it an excellent prospect.

Vondelpark Want to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city and just take some time to relax? The Vondelpark is the perfect place. Not only is it conveniently located close to many of the city’s museums, one of the excellent Amsterdam hostels is located right inside! You may be able to catch a free concert or theatrical act if you are lucky, and you will be able to see the famous statue of the poet-playwright Vondel, for whom the park is named. A fun fact: the park was actually named Nieuwe Park when it first opened, in 1865, but Vondel’s statue became so famous it was eventually renamed in his honour!

Keep all these attractions in mind to help make the most of your time in this fabulous city. n

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WW CHANGE

Tap into your below the surface

power

SUE DAVEY reveals the strategies you can use to fine tune your mind so reaching your goals and achieving success becomes second nature.

At some point, you must have encountered the saying that people only use 10% of their mind? Consider your mind to be like an iceberg with 10%, the part you see above the water, being your conscious awareness while a massive 90% is what is below the surface, or your subconscious mind.

Contrary to popular belief, money is not the core difference between the haves and the have-nots. It’s actually their mindset that sets the haves apart from the have-nots. Your beliefs, character traits and attitude all come together and play a crucial role in enabling you to reach your dreams.

The conscious mind The part of your mind that deals with reason and thought is the conscious mind. This is the everyday, practical part of your mind that offers reasoning and controls your movements while you are conscious.

The conscious mind also deals with your awareness at the present time. For example, while you are walking around the park, you are aware of your surroundings and breathing pattern.

The two parts of your mind work in tandem in such a way that whatever your conscious mind processes is then filtered by your subconscious mind to match the idea to your existing belief system.

seek what you have told it to find and, when processing information, it will hone in on those thoughts.

If you are able to tap the hidden power and potential of your subconscious mind, you can will your conscious mind to work towards making your dreams a reality.

As mentioned earlier, the conscious and subconscious mind work in tandem. It is critical that these two parts are in sync in that they both work towards the same goals. The way you perceive situations and your reaction to opportunities presented have a great impact on your path to success.

Training the subconscious mind One of the most well-known strategies for training the subconscious mind is through positive affirmations and visualisations. The repetition of positive, affirming beliefs, mental messages and images of success can contribute to retraining your mind and gearing it for success.

To illustrate the power of the subconscious mind, in a second, the mind processes approximately 400 billion pieces of information and of this massive number, only 2,000 pieces are processed within our conscious mind.

The other part of your mind that holds real power is the subconscious mind.

The Reticular Activation System (RAS) is the part of our subconscious mind that processes the pieces of information we perceive. It can be considered the ‘Automatic Goal Seeking Device’ that filters what you see, hear, taste, feel or touch.

Your subconscious mind controls your habits and emotions – it is behind your feelings, stress, irritation and other emotions. Moreover, it is the storage site of your belief system and historical memories.

If you want your RAS to work for you, you have to be able to program it to get what you are aiming for. By programming a goal into your RAS, regardless if you are asleep, awake or consciously thinking about it, your RAS will

The subconscious mind

48 WORKING WOMEN® n Summer/Autumn 2015 – www.womensnetwork.com.au

Harmonising your conscious and subconscious mind

By properly managing the beliefs held within your subconscious mind, you can ‘re-program’ your mind to reach your full potential, leading to a more fulfilled life.

When it comes to wealthy and successful people, they differ in the way their subconscious mind reacts to ideas presented to them. By knowing and trusting in themselves and their abilities, they have the confidence to pursue and achieve great things. This mindset directs their conscious mind to work tireless towards the attainment of goals.

YOUR MIND possesses the power to change your life! n

CONTACT Sue Davey BUSINESS Mastermind Success

Coaching International +61 (3) 8692 0090 www.suedavey.com PHONE

WW CHANGE

The excitement of making

CHANGE

How excited would you be if you realised that everything about your life can change easily with a few creative ideas? LOUISE CORICA reveals some simple steps you can take to make changes to your life and business quickly.

All too often, in the absence of clearly defined goals, we can keep performing the same daily acts of trivia. All we are doing is filling up our day with tasks that may not necessarily be useful or productive.

People can easily become stressed just thinking about making change. They think they cannot cope and feel so overwhelmed with their workloads that they don’t know where to start. Making changes in your business stems from making changes to your life. They are interlinked and if you would like to achieve the ‘business as usual’ at home and at work, here are four ways to make changes easily:

1. Firstly you need to make a commitment to change the way you think and the way you do things. More to the point, ask yourself: “How important is this change I want to make and what does it mean to my business and my daily life?”

2. Acknowledge that change is inevitable, and that it is better to plan a change rather than have those changes forced upon you, which could mean you having to do them in a hurry and leaving some things incomplete. You do have a choice in this situation.

3. In our businesses we are consistently considering change concepts. Two important questions are: “When was the last time I reviewed my business strategic plan?” and “Have I included all of my ‘fun things to do’ in my diary (and actually done them)?” Making change, by

“What do YOU think?”

Is the most important question in business!

Imagine the possibilities when you realise you are greater than whom you think you are.

t a h W

How

redefining your plans so they reflect the changes you undergo at work and at home, is vital.

Is it time to roll out the plans for change and achieve better results for your business?

4. Prepare realistic goals by having well-

Jim Rohn said, “You must take personal responsibility. You cannot change the circumstances, the seasons, or the wind, but you can change yourself. That is something you are in charge of.”

defined and developed plans that deliver results over time. When making change you need to have a very clear goal in mind. When your focus is supported by a well-developed plan you will achieve almost all of your dreams.

FOUR TIPS FOR SETTING GOALS: n Make a list of all your ideas of what you want to change

You are now ready to make change easily, having altered your thinking, and with these techniques you can follow it through to a successful outcome. n

n Know the “what”, the “how” and the “when” of what you want to change

Your plan needs to be ‘detailed’ as it is vital to the success of the plan being implemented n

n Implement the plans. This step is one of the toughest, it will incorporate all of the detailed notes you made in the planning process.

Louise Corica’s latest book “Make Changes Easily” – The Change Guide For People in Business.

Contact Dr Rosemary McCallum Principal Coach & Speaker – 0402 664 706

Phone Louise Corica for the supporting workshop or seminar on +61 (0) 418 458 616 or via www.time2manage.com

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WW CHANGE

8 TIPS FOR STAYING

on track in 2015

LINDA McMAHON shares some insights on how to avoid being distracted by shiny objects that could sabotage you reaching your business goals during the year ahead.

As a new year, month or quarter rolls around many see it as a time to make a fresh start and enthusiastically set new tasks and goals. However, the reality is that many of these resolutions or goals are sadly never met or even acted upon. And there are a few reasons why.

As human beings, we are hard wired to be drawn to pleasure and to avoid pain and many of us are seeking instant gratification. It may be from buying something that makes you feel good, eating something that gives you comfort or the instant relaxation you feel when lying on the couch watching the TV. So, if your goal is to manage your money better, lose weight, get fit or get more focused on your business, you need to plan for this success. If you then make better choices, by not purchasing something you cannot afford right now or don’t eat or drink the wrong things and instead of watching TV, spend that time doing something to improve your business or personal life, your plan will succeed.

If we don’t do those things, do we get instant wealth, instant weight loss, instant success, and instant wellbeing? No, and here lies the problem. In our current times of credit cards, technology and instant everything at our fingertips, many of us are becoming more wired for instant gratification.

This is not to say we cannot indulge at all, it is about excess indulgence and avoiding doing

what is hard that we are talking about here.

We are also drawn to new things as our brain tends to connect this with a potential for rewarding us as this increases our level of dopamine, a neurotransmitter that helps control the brain’s reward and pleasure centres, which explains why (S.O.S.) Shiny Object Syndrome is so prevalent.

Getting distracted with shiny objects can be disastrous to achieving long-term goals because putting too many balls in the air means you often drop a few. Also, it takes time and consistency for success and constantly jumping from one thing to another will severely limit your chances of achieving your desired goals.

So, how can we set ourselves up to win so we can reach our long-term goals?

There are many things we can do, however, the most important foundational step is to be able to goal set effectively.

TOP 8 GOAL SETTING TIPS:

1. Your goal must be set up so it stretches you.

It can’t be something you have done before.

business, job or money, however, it is what your business, job or money allows you to pursue.

5. The way you work towards your goal must be congruent with your values or you will be pushing uphill.

6. You must acknowledge and prepare for the known hurdles ahead.

7. You must make yourself accountable to the right person or group on a weekly basis.

8. Reward yourself along the way for being on track.

If you are still not keen on goal setting have a think about why. Maybe you have failed in reaching goals before and so you avoid setting them to limit your disappointment.

The truth is without goals you can get caught up in the busyness of life and can lose track of what is important to you. As humans we need to stretch and grow, it is what keeps us motivated, happy, energised, focused and productive. This is why goal setting is vital for the success of your business.

Why settle for average when you can live extraordinarily? n

2. It must excite you and really light you up.

3. It must be set up and planned in a way that you feel it is achievable and you believe it can happen.

4. It also must be a heart-based goal. Often a heart-based goal has nothing to do with your

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WW WORK & FAMILY

Do you know who is talking to

your child online?

Are you on top of the latest craze that is consuming your child’s online time? With reports of adults indecently engaging with children on the rise, PETRINA FRACCARO looks at how to protect your children from online predators.

As technology booms, new applications, forums, social media platforms and online games are appearing daily. Parents might have given up trying to keep up to date with the latest fashions, television shows or the boy band icon being swooned over by all teen-kind; but knowing and understanding your child’s online activity should be a nonnegotiable.

The internet has bought knowledge and curiosity into our children’s lives. They have access to resources and information we would never have imagined in our youth.

Smart devices, social media platforms and online gaming have become a part of everyday life for so many children. Through these platforms they project their personality, connect with their peers and share their stories, interests and experiences. Unfortunately, our children are not alone on each of these platforms. These same technologies have been embraced by sex offenders, and they are proving to be exceptionally skilled at using them to gain access to children. At the stroke of a few keys we can be connected to anyone, anywhere in the world.

Parents and education professionals can no longer choose to remain ignorant. We must guide and supervise children and educate them that they must treat talking online as they would meeting a new person in the real world. What information do you share and what personal details do you safeguard?

For many years parents were told to keep the computer in common areas of the house, not in your child’s bedroom. However, the internet is no longer limited to the family computer: mobiles, tablets, gaming consoles, music devices and even smart televisions are a portal into the cyber world. Many of these devices and the applications they hold have location functions and technologies, outputting the real-time location of your child. It is your responsibility to know what applications are on your child’s device. Take time to learn how to use and disable location settings.

The ‘Who’s chatting to your kids?’ campaign outlines the following steps to safeguard your child and their online identity.

Make sure the applications, websites, games and social media platforms your child is engaged in are age-appropriate.

n

Ensure your child chooses the most restrictive privacy settings on each platform to reduce the risk of being approached online by a sex offender.

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Assist your child to select non-identifiable, non-gender specific usernames.

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Sexting is a stress-inducing concept for parents, but make sure that your child is aware that by taking, possessing or sending indecent images they could be committing a serious criminal offence. They could be liable to criminal prosecution.

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Does your child realise that both their online and real world reputation need to be considered each time information, images or opinions are shared?

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Know at least the basics about each platform – can your child chat and interact with strangers, or only those that they have added as ‘friends’?

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Keep personal information personal – do not make email addresses, school, location or age visible.

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Do not share passwords or accept file exchanges from people they do not know.

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Understand the available electronic parental controls on smart TVs and connective gaming devices. Know the capabilities of these devices and how to disable and enable each of them.

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Keep up dialogue about their online life and use open – make rules about who they engage with and ‘friend’.

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Parents and educators alike need to be proactive in familiarising themselves with the online world their children inhabit and how to identify the signs that a child may be being groomed by a predator. n

CONTACT Petrina Fraccaro BUSINESS CHARLTON BROWN® PHONE +61 (7) 3216 0288

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www.womensnetwork.com.au – Summer/Autumn 2015 n WORKING WOMEN® 51

WW PROPERTY

HOW TO AVOID

investment pitfalls MIRIAM SANDKUHLER highlights the mistakes that property investors frequently make and how to avoid them.

You may have read an article or even attended a seminar and been told that property investing is easy. The harsh reality is that there are many steps along the way where investors can make expensive mistakes.

may be totally wrong for you. For example, if you have a low risk profile, then buying property off the plan (high risk) or buying a site to develop (very high risk) would not be appropriate and could result in a lot of stress, due to being so far out of your comfort zone.

Anyone can sign their name to a contract after inspecting a few properties, however, this doesn’t mean they have bought well.

3. Engage experts to help you. Before looking

Property investors can come unstuck at many points along the way, not because of what they know or think they know, but because of what they don’t know. This is because so many professions touch a real estate transaction during the buying process. By not engaging professionals to help you, the risk associated with each step increases and the end result if not transacted properly, can cost investors tens of thousands of dollars.

1. Firstly, understand that most of the ‘free advice’ provided to investors in Australia, is provided by selling agents, project marketers, developers and property spruikers. Even some accountants, financial planners and mortgage brokers earn referral fees or commissions, so they technically represent their vendor (not you the buyer) in the property transaction, therefore, will never provide independent or unbiased advice.

2. Next, understand your personal risk profile and that of any property you buy. If you don’t know your personal risk profile you could find yourself involved in a strategy or property that

at property, you need to know how much money you can borrow and how much debt you can service. This is where a mortgage broker comes in, as they can access many lenders to secure the best product to suit your needs and they can determine your borrowing capacity.

At the same time, speak to your accountant and financial planner about structuring for investment. Depending on your age, income, marital status and investment strategy, they can help you with tax planning and information regarding investing in Self-Managed Super Funds (SMSFs).

If you have never bought property, remember you are investing (but also risking) $100,000s of your hard earned money. You will often be up against highly skilled real estate agents with years of experience, so you are vulnerable to being misled or worse, unknowingly overpaying for property.

This is where the services of an independent Buyer’s Agent or Advocate can come in. They can assist you with some or all of the aspects of researching, searching, negotiating and acquisition and are paid by the buyer, so they legally represent your interests.

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52 WORKING WOMEN® n Summer/Autumn 2015 – www.womensnetwork.com.au

Once you have found the property you wish to buy, you must send the contract to a conveyancer to review before you sign it, even when you have the benefit of a cooling off period. They will identify any areas of risk that are present in the contract, so that you are making a fully informed decision to either proceed or walk away.

4. Before an auction or signing a contract, make sure you have the property attended by a building and pest inspector, or include special conditions in the contract to that effect.

The inspections will identify if there are any problems, so that you can either factor the cost of repairs into your offer or walk away from the property.

5. Once the contract becomes unconditional, then interview and engage several property managers to look after your precious asset on your behalf. They will all offer differing levels of service so remember to ask for current testimonials.

By following these steps and engaging the experts mentioned (before you buy because afterwards it’s too late), you give yourself the greatest possible chance of making sure your property buying experience is as pain free and successful as possible. n

CONTACT Miriam Sandkuhler BUSINESS Property Mavens PHONE +61 (0) 412 595 995

www.propertymavens.com.au

WW PROPERTY

Would you like 7 secrets used by successful property investors to build a JULIE CROCKETT talks about the seven essentials required for successful property investing and how to build an investment portfolio that provides long-term wealth.

Have you asked yourself the question, how can some property investors keep buying properties and make money from property investing, sometimes replacing their income, while others don’t seem to be able to succeed?

property investment that I have heard from inexperienced property investors:

Successful property investors have an investment strategy

n

Stephen Covey once said, “Start with the end in mind.” This is an essential step as you need to be aware of what you are trying to achieve when you start to invest. Make sure that your strategy has longevity. In order to really make significant gains from capital growth in your property investment portfolio, you need to keep your assets for at least 10 years.

If the strategy is to buy and hold for the long term, then stick with the strategy!

They focus on the ‘How to’ Successful investors have a habit of taking advice from experienced property investors who show them ‘how to’ achieve their end goal. They look for the opportunity to invest and maintain focus on the goal not on potential problems. They also manage their risk by ensuring they have adequate insurance in place.

They ‘build’ their knowledge Highly successful investors do their research and make it their business to have an understanding of the core components of investing. That way, they can confidently continue to build a property portfolio that works for them.

They find a ‘mentor’ Those who are successful property investors, align themselves with other more successful property investors. A mentor provides the guidance and confidence required when all does not run smoothly.

They buy based on numbers not on emotion No doubt you have heard this one before but it is very much a characteristic of a highly successful investor. They buy on the numbers, not on emotion.

Here are some of the reasons for buying a

I really like the area because I live here and it would be really easy to rent. Besides, I can drive past it every day and look at it.

n

I want to buy an investment property for each of my four kids so that they have a place to live in when they are older.

I have had my eye on that property for years and now it’s on the market, I will pay any price (just about) to own it. It will make a great investment.

n

Building a property portfolio must depend on the current property market and not on any emotional factors that will sway judgment. The three examples above might be well intended but may also derail an investor’s ability to build a property portfolio if they are expensive to purchase and have a low rental yield.

They take action Another strong characteristic of successful investors is that they work through the analysis process and then make their decision to purchase (or not) based on the above process. Either way, they take action and hold firm with their decision.

If you continually get stuck somewhere in the process which effectively stops you from investing you are said to suffer from analysis paralysis.

They keep on doing what works Once you have experience and confidence in the purchase process, it is essential to keep building or acquiring quality assets in order to achieve an investment property portfolio.

Building a property investment portfolio takes time, determination and a good sense of humour along the way. Most importantly, you need a mentor to keep you on track and get you through the tough times. n

Property Portfolio?

BUT • You are too busy running your Business?

• You don’t have the time or energy to research the market?

• You don’t have an investment strategy that will give you the desired wealth outcome?

• You don’t know who you can trust to help you achieve your investment goals?

The API Solutions Team will work with you to achieve your investment goals and build your property portfolio so that you can enjoy the retirement that you deserve.

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WW HEALTH & WELLNESS

Secrets to

WEIGHT LOSS SUCCESS Take it from someone who knows, being in the right mindset is imperative if you want to lose weight.

SILVESTRO MUSUMECI shares some of the techniques he used in his 75 kg weight loss journey.

For all too many of us, lack of confidence about our weight can hold us back from business success. Could poor image confidence be holding you back from achieving some of your goals? For example, would you feel more confident when presenting a seminar or workshop, appearing in a photo shoot, or even doing TV interviews if you were happier with your weight?

Successful weight loss is to take control of three essential components: mind, mouth and movement. If you only concentrate on what you put in your mouth, you won’t make it because you are only looking at one piece of the puzzle.

When you add the ingredients of exercise and mindset, then you will achieve a complete lifestyle and body transformation. You need to consider all three essential ingredients, in equal parts, to bake up your weight loss recipe for feeling slim, sexy and confident.

MIND Stay empowered by setting small, attainable goals. Once you see you are able to achieve these goals, you will feel even more motivated to practice healthy habits. Stay focused. Stay positive. People who are achievers know where they are going long before they get there, and their arrival is no accident. Be specific when setting your goals. For instance, determine how much weight you will lose, as opposed to simply resolving to lose weight.

n

Know what motivates you. It may be placing pictures of how you want to look on the fridge,

n

visualising yourself being slimmer or listening to motivational music. Every time you feel tempted to eat something that you know won’t help your goals, concentrate on asking yourself: What will weight loss give me? What will that be like?

MOUTH Get back to basics. Go for foods that grow from the ground, move on the ground or swim in the sea. You can’t go wrong this way!

n

Start sitting at a table to eat, without the TV on. This helps prevent mindless snacking as you often lose track of how many times your hand has dipped into the bag of chips, because you are focused on what you are watching.

Take the time and focus on the food you are eating; you will appreciate it more this way.

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MOVEMENT Fit exercise in where you can. It doesn’t matter what time. You read a lot about when is the best time to workout, such as in the morning. While studies have shown this to be helpful, the best time to workout is when you will do it. You may even have to fit it in where you can, and that’s okay. There is no difference between doing 30 minutes in the morning or two fifteen minute walks of equal intensity, morning and night.

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Get back to basic movements. Health experts attribute lack of movement as the main culprit for our increasing waistlines! Movement doesn’t mean exercise. 100 years ago, obesity didn’t really exist, and there were no gyms, aerobics

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54 WORKING WOMEN® n Summer/Autumn 2015 – www.womensnetwork.com.au

Successful weight loss is to take control of three essential components: mind, mouth and movement. If you only concentrate on what you put in your mouth, you won’t make it because you are only looking at one piece of the puzzle. classes or dumbbells! No – because we were all active. Our bodies were made to move! Do away with technology and get back to basics: plant a vegetable garden, or put on some music and dance.

This is your opportunity to take a good look at yourself in the mirror and ask: Do I like what I see? If the answer is no, It’s time to take action!

Begin by being more active, eating nutritious food, and especially making the time to treat your weight loss as a priority. If you feel your work and home life may actually get in the way of your weight loss success, find someone you trust who has the wisdom and empathy, not just the knowledge, to help you travel the long and challenging journey ahead. Roll up your sleeves and partner with a health professional and mentor who fully understands the weight loss success process and who is committed to your transformation. n

CONTACT Silvestro Musumeci BUSINESS The Weight Loss King PHONE +61 (2) 9712 8375

www.weightlossking.com.au

WW HEALTH & WELLNESS

Not feeling yourself?

Try going natural

Having days where you feel like you are going crazy? Don’t stress, your hormones might be the culprit.

KIM ADAMS provides helpful tips on getting back on track so you can feel like your old self again.

Hormonal changes that occur in your 40s can create a distress and unease for many women, especially those who are accustomed to being confident and capable.

You may be a strong, confident, fabulous business woman and suddenly in your 40s you find yourself constantly tired yet unable to sleep, eating the same diet yet putting on weight and generally feeling out of sorts.

Eat slow Seasonal, local, organic and

Vitex agnus-castus (Chasteberry) This

whole. The emphasis here is on eating a diet consisting primarily of unprocessed food that has limited preservatives or other toxins added.

Maintaining blood sugar through eating low GI food that provides quality nutrients will help to moderate mood swings and maintain weight. Slow also relates to how you eat. Eating with awareness and in a relaxed state will help optimise digestion and metabolic power.

is one of the few herbal supplements that has scientific evidence to support its ability to improve progesterone levels and treat PMS symptoms.

Welcome to the perimenopausal years! All the hype you have heard about ageing has been about menopause and you aren’t there yet, but something is definitely going on and you don’t like it. In fact it is a little scary because it is affecting your work, your relationships and your waistline.

Go easy on the coffee Caffeine raises cortisol, which increases blood glucose and over time can lead to insulin resistance making it more difficult to lose weight and can lead to Type 2 Diabetes. Cortisol also blocks progesterone receptors contributing to the oestrogen/progesterone imbalance. Substitute with green tea or yerba mate tea as both are stimulating and energising but without the jitters of caffeine.

There are two predominate approaches to perimenopause: the first takes a medical approach which can see women prescribed antidepressants that really only mask the symptoms and can have nasty side effects; or the second approach is to take on a militant diet and exercise regime in an effort to do battle with ageing and aspire to stay your 35-year-old self forever.

Neither is particularly nourishing for your body or your soul. The good news is there are nutritional and lifestyle choices that can be incorporated into your life that assist to rebalance hormones so you can traverse these years without permanent injury to yourself or others.

Limit alcohol Unfortunately as we get older the body’s ability to metabolise alcohol is reduced and alcohol is associated with premenstrual irritability, anxiety and headaches and it also increases belly fat. This doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy a glass of wine occasionally but it does mean you have to be more conscious of how you feel after drinking and make choices that are energising not draining your body.

Magnesium Many people are magnesium deficient due to the degraded soil quality that most of our food crops are grown in.

Magnesium is a relaxant and is proven to help with anxiety and insomnia.

Mediation and relaxation Managing your stress is key to balancing hormones and getting your cortisol levels under control.

Taking time to include your preferred relaxation method every day is essential. This could mean taking 10 minutes first thing in the morning to simply sit quietly and breathe deeply, or it could include yoga or tai chi or simply being in nature.

Any natural or nutritional methods will take 4 to 6 weeks to start having an impact. If after a couple of months you are not feeling more like your old self, or at any time feel overwhelmed, than it is a good idea to seek medical advice including having your hormone levels tested.

Find a doctor who has a particular interest in women’s hormones or functional medicine (an approach whereby the underlying causes of symptoms are treated holistically, rather than a traditional medical approach of treating symptoms) and do your research so you can take charge of your health in partnership with your doctor. n

CONTACT Kim Adams BUSINESS Happy Healthy Groovy PHONE +61 (0) 404 061 767

www.happyhealthygroovy.com.au

Do you know that your relationship with your body is a reflection of your relationship with life?

Are you ready to be Happy Healthy and Groovy into your 40s and beyond?

2015 is the perfect time to take charge of your health and wellbeing.

5 – 12 Sept, 2015

Kim is passionate about helping you find balance and health in mind, body and soul so that you love life and love your body. Kim’s inviting you to join her in Koh Samui, Thailand 5 – 12 September 2015 for her ‘Groovy Goddess Getaway’ retreat. Relax and pamper yourself in a 5 star luxury villa and reconnect with your inner body wisdom. You’ll discover how to easily look after your body so it feels and looks great, and you’ll gain crystal clear clarity on your true purpose and passion.

Kim Adams – Coaching | Workshops | Retreats Visit the website for more information or contact Kim to find out if this is the getaway for you on Mobile: +61 (0) 404 061 767

Website: www.happyhealthygroovy.com.au www.womensnetwork.com.au – Summer/Autumn 2015 n WORKING WOMEN® 55

WW HEALTH & WELLNESS

SUPER FOOD

for the coffee connoisseur

Can’t live without your cup of coffee? CHUPING YU looks at what your addiction could be doing to your body and makes some suggestions as to how you can satisfy your coffee connoisseur lifestyle and get healthy at the same time.

Are you trying to cut down your caffeine or limit your intake? It’s not easily done when for as long as you can remember you’ve been starting your day with a coffee.

We all know that too much coffee and caffeine can be bad for us. Sure it makes us feel energised temporarily, but in the end it is at the expense of our adrenal glands. Constant caffeine hits throughout the day give us an intermittent burst of energy, but in the long term we run the risk of becoming depleted and fatigued. Caffeine usage is so common in western society, you can easily forget that it is an addictive drug.

So what are the alternatives for the dedicated coffee drinker looking to turn over a new leaf?

The most important point is don’t go cold turkey or before you know it you’ll be back on the hard stuff. The best advice is to wean yourself off slowly with a low caffeinated coffee. Look for one that is 100% organic and blended with health enhancing additives.

You could try transitioning with a low caffeinated coffee infused with a super herb such as Ganoderma.

It’s a tasty alternative for the health conscious coffee connoisseur and it comes with so many amazing health properties. Originating in ancient China where it was consumed daily for health and longevity, Ganoderma is consider a superfood. It’s both alkalising and

Get a fresh new look and feel younGer! Dr Sarah at the Sunnybank Hills General Practice offers a range of cosmetic procedures, all administered in a safe, professional medical environment.

Dr Sarah Cunningham

FRACGP MB.ChB.DCH D.Obs Post Grad Cert Health Science (women’s health) Member Australasian Society of Cosmetic Medicine

Unlike highly caffeinated drinks which deplete nutrients like magnesium and B vitamins, caffeine reduced coffee blends with super herbs added will enhance your health and wellbeing.

It’s often recommended that women who are trying to conceive refrain from drinking highly caffeinated coffee, as it can affect fertility. Studies have indicated links between high caffeine intake, reduced fertility and increased miscarriage rates. Natural fertility experts and naturopaths often recommend reducing caffeine intake, especially if one is trying to conceive or has suffered miscarriages in the past.

Research does not implicate caffeine completely, but cutting back and moving to a healthy alternative is certainly a good idea, especially for women who love their coffee and are trying to conceive. You can easily replace regular coffee by buying products that contain only 7mgs of caffeine rather than the 137mgs found in standard coffee.

So, next time you need a coffee hit, make the healthy choice and reach for a low caffeine alternative with a super herb additive. And always insist on only drinking coffee that is 100% organic. You will feel better for it and your body will thank you. n

CONTACT ChuPing Yu BUSINESS Ming Dynasty Coffee PHONE +61 (0) 402 154 362

www.mingdynastycoffee.com

Drink Healthy Coffee with Low Caffeine

Are you looking older than you feel? treatments • Facial contouring with • Wrinkle enhancement sugar gel fillers • Lip • Skin care advice • Skin checks

oxygenating to the human body and helps to adjust PH levels and boost immunity.

Dr Sarah Cunningham

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56 WORKING WOMEN® n Summer/Autumn 2015 – www.womensnetwork.com.au

• Infused with Ganoderm, for Alkalizing & Oxygenating • Increases Metabolism • Helps Strengthen Immune System • Reduces signs of Ageing • Boosts Energy All this in one cup!

To place an order Contact: ChuPing Yu on 0402 154 362 or chuping8@gmail.com Free postage for Working Women magazine readers within Aust, only on 2 boxes or more.

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Classified Business Directory LEGAL SERVICES Body Corporate | Strata Lawyers

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Be seen in the next issue Book two display advertisements with us and you’ll receive n

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choice of either; A OPTION A – 10% discount off each advert OR OPTION B – FREE Artwork design…PLUS ay as you go with easy payments prior to P each edition* omplimentary listing in our Classified C Business Directory FREE link to your website from the A WORKING WOMEN® digital version FREE standard WNA eNoticeBoard A advertisement riority consideration P for editorial submissions.

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58 WORKING WOMEN® n Summer/Autumn 2015 – www.womensnetwork.com.au

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Join today and discover the difference networking can make to your business!

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The real truth about weight loss success

Networking the icebreakers and deal breakers

HOT TIPS

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