Connexions Business Magazine by Jennie Gorman - #23 October-November 2014

onne x ions C

Business Magazine

Get YOUR Own

Board of Directors

Roles:

Are yours holding you back?

BUY TIME, Not Properties

Leadership to Inspire :

NELSON MANDELA Protect your lifestyle while you make your money

Jennie Gorman and Michael Donoghue

From Jennie’s Desk Hi everyone, What has happened to our year? It is so hard to believe that we are in the last quarter and so many things for me have not been completed. It has been an incredible year, along with some health challenges, so I am grateful to be coming to the end of 2014.

My book ‘Awesome Authenticity’ Edition 2 will out by the end of October and I expect to have it available in the bookshops. I will be so happy to see this one completed.

I have been privileged to be part of ‘The Yellow Couch’, to be Executive Producer along with being the first special guest. This is a new fast paced YouTube 10 minute “Chat Show” for people who like Letterman, but just don’t have the time for a longer show! THANK YOU to Stu Fisher who creates, produces, films and stars in every edition. So, take a look, LIKE the page and share … and be prepared for a new edition every Sunday. https://www.facebook.com/TheYellowCouchAu MasterMinding continues to flourish and I am so very grateful to the people who come into the groups wanting to move their businesses forward in the future. Tanja Caprioli and Tam Ho have both been incredible co-facilitators, and to both of them, THANK YOU for your support and commitment.

I have decided to make some big changes within Connexions Unlimited in 2015 so watch this space for what will be in the future.

In this issue we have a group of 10 authors who have given us all the opportunity to gain some new information that may be just what our businesses need to move forward. THANK YOU all for supporting Connexions Business Magazine to bring information to our readers.

Enjoy until we connect again … take care and travel safe.

Blessings!

Connexions Business Magazine

Recommends: Aussie App Store is a mobile marketing agency focussed on providing cost-effective mobile marketing tools. From iPhone applications to iPad applications to HTML5 applications, Aussie App Store delivers Mobile Apps and Mobile websites on every platform. info@aussieappstore.com www.aussieappstore.com

Acru Property with Michael Donoghue at the helm, is a Residential Property Agency, who specialises in House, Unit Sales & Rentals.

Michael is all about simplifying your property needs. michael@acruproperty.com.au www.acruproperty.com.au 0411 223 222

MasterMinding

Testimonials Adam Cottrell says: Starting a new business requires direction, unbiased and honest opinions giving you the momentum to move forward to new heights of confidence and reasoning both within yourself and your business.

Positive momentum comes when one understands who they are and what it is that makes you react and respond in a particular way, in turn, influencing how others respond to you.

Business Mastermind Groups, facilitated and mentored by Jennie Gorman, Connexions Unlimited, with over 30 years of business experience, enables one to understand all of this and more in a trusted and positive environment.

You will learn for your business: • Accountability • Setting Goals • How to meet your goals • What makes other people tick?

• What makes you tick?

Adam Cottrell www.globuminds.com.au

Effective Office Solutions with Julie Richman, provide Toshiba Photocopiers. Sales of fully refurbished machines, offering a cost effective option to gaining reliable office technology and automation and all machines come with 6 months warranty. julie@effectivesolutions.com.au www.effectivesolutions.com.au 0409 527 647

Trish Springsteen says: “Jennie is a great mentor and the ultimate people connector. Connecting people with others to obtain win win situations is one of Jennie’s passions and her greatest skills. I was privileged to be a member of her Mastermind Groups and was able to observe first hand her mentoring and connecting skills at work.

If you get a chance to work with Jennie - you will come away with a better understanding of the importance of relationships, of mastermind groups, of yourself and of your business.”

Contents 06 Get YOUR Own Board of Directors 09 Get Rid Of All The Stuff In The Way 10 Inspiring Executive Teams Management MInutes RESPECT 13 My coat of many patches 14 Roles: Are yours holding you back?

16 Directors Guarantees Are you still liable?

18 BUY TIME, Not Properties 21 Have you ever wondered

why you are Networking?

Disclaimer: The opinions and viewpoints expressed in Connexions Business Magazine do not necessarily represent those of the editor, staff or publisher or any Connexions Unlimited staff or related parties. The publisher, Connexions Unlimited personnel are not liable for any mistake, misprint or omission.

All information contained in Connexions Business Magazine is intended to inform and illustrate and should not be taken as financial, health, legal or accounting advice. You should seek professional advice before making any business related decisions. We are not liable for any losses you may incur directly or indirectly as a result of reading Connexions Business Magazine. Reproduction of any material or contents of the magazine without written permission from the publisher is strictly prohibited.

22 Assets... The ‘Stock’ of Your Business 25 Leadership to Inspire :

NELSON MANDELA 26 Are you using the RIGHT

Marketing Strategies?

29 Protect your lifestyle

while you make your money 30 MasterMinding, What is it?

34 Excel vs Xero 38 Upcoming Events

Videos Create Your Bucket List

Who You Want and Need in Your Business

THE YELLOW COUCH

Episode #1 - S01E01

Get YOUR Own

Board of Directors © Jennie Gorman

You may be asking yourself, what does getting my own ‘board of directors’ mean … and if you are not aware of the mastermind concept, it may not mean anything to you.

Business MasterMinding is all about being with a group of like-minded people who want to move their businesses forward to a higher level than they are already at now. To do this we need to have a sounding board … and this can be made up of a group of people who have complementary skills and experiences that can support growth. Being in a MasterMind Group that has good resources and contacts, accountability, confidentiality and a variety of skill sets will move a business very fast.

These trusted advisors will have a strong sense of what your business is all about, which can only develop though the integrity that will be create within the group synergy. The opportunity to connect with potential clients and have some strong referral partnerships are benefits that spin off this process.

Even though mastermind groups are not coaching groups, they act in a similar way as you have this group of people around you that will keep you on track. So, instead of having one person, you have a group, which amplifies the success rate even higher, giving you a variety of perspectives to see what you want and where you are going.

MasterMinding is the most cost effective and fast way to build your business fast!

We run Introductory sessions as well a workshop ‘DISCOVER How to Make Your Business More Sustainable’ to support you move forward to where you want to be. Come and gain some new tools for your business. http://businessmastermindgroups.com.au/discover-how-to-make-yourbusiness-more-sustainable-workshop-tuesday-21-october-200pm-530pm/ So, how do you find one of these groups?

The advantages of masterminding is the support you will receive in return for the support you and your business will gain. This group of people will become trusted advisors, who you will be able to share your business with you on an intimate level. They will keep you accountable and hold you to account so you can achieve where you want to go.

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Business MasterMind Groups has a proven formula that has been tried and tested over six years. It is available to people wishing to join a group or for coaches, trainers, educators, mentors and/or facilitators who may be interested in a Licensing Agreement. If you want to take advantage of a system created, rather than reinventing the wheel, contact Jennie Gorman at jennie@businessmastermindgroups.com.au or on 0414 278 344.

www.businessmastermindgroups.com.au

www.awesomeauthenticity.com.au

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Awesome Authenticity Cartoonist Ryan McDonald-Smith

www.awesomeauthenticity.com.au

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Connexions Business Mag

Get Rid

Of All The Stuff In The Way

by Stacey Huish

Eliminate the distractions of problems, incompletions and tolerations and increase productivity. Everything you tolerate claims a piece of your creative and physical energy Tolerations drain you of the resources required for a successful business. ”Getting rid of my tolerations was the most freeing thing I’ve ever done. I never realized how much energy was being drained from tolerations. Every day I walked in and got annoyed at my messy desk. Now my desk is organized, I have more energy to use on more important things, like growing my business.” says Mike Schneider, president of Ki Sales.

What are incompletes and tolerations?

The piles you have in your office, projects you plan to start, unfilled tax receipts or forms, unread magazines, legal matters, the dent on your car, conversations you need to have, etc.

Set up a plan to resolve tolerations and structure a way to eliminate them permanently. How? Identify and eliminate the cause of your tolerations, so they don’t come up again. “I constantly look for ways to make my life easier. When issues comes up I don’t just look to resolve them, I look for solutions so the problems never resurface.” says Pete Fioretti, president of Mountain Funding.

www.only-effective-communication-skills.com 2014 October-November

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Inspiring Executive Teams - Management Minutes

RESPECT

by John Milne

Respect is honey for the soul. It gives energy to relationships. It smooths the way when friend and adversary meet.

It sweetens anger and builds mutual regard.

Respect is the oil of organisational life. It makes each team or community run smoothly.

It allows different personalities to push and pull while still moving in the same direction.

It prevents frayed tempers and broken friendships.

It feeds self worth.

Respect is diamond dew. Lightly it falls on each person we meet.

Mightily it puts a shine on mind and heart.

Surprisingly it comes early in the encounter, the partnership or relationship.

Each day its sparkle lifts tired spirits and weary bones.

No tactic, tool or technique alone builds respect.

In essence it is in the giving of self to another.

It is the stuff of which quality; caring communities and organisations are built and maintained.

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“The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong.”

Mahatma Gandhi 1869 - 1948 “Everybody can be great because anybody can serve.”

Martin Luther King 1929 - 1968 “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”

Nelson Mandela 1918 - 2013

Aussie App Store

Why go mobile?

• Over 8.5 million smartphones are in use in Australia today • 98% of them are used at home, 85% on the go and 73% at work • 94% have been used to research products or services • 78% visit social networks • 74% never leave home without it.

• 63% have performed a search on their mobile after seeing an offline ad • 59% make mobile purchases at least once a month • 58% access the Internet every day on their smartphone • 48% look for local info at least once a week, 18% look daily. 43% search Restaurants, Pubs, Bars

1300 494 188 • info@aussieappstore.com.au

www.AussieAppStore.com.au 2014 October-November

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Tales from my fascinating life in China

My coat of many patches.

My daughter Elizabeth came to visit me in my new home in Guangzhou.

It was so exciting for us to explore all the interesting areas in Guangzhou. I introduced her to my little hair salon where you got your hair washed while getting a massage on a massage bed at the same time. We dined in the little local restaurant where we ate jiao zi (dumplings) and freshly made noodles.

One day I showed Elizabeth the huge, modern, Western-style shopping complex called Teem Plaza which was near my home. It had, amongst other things, a Western supermarket which I would visit infrequently, as I preferred to support the small, family-run grocery shops. I would only go to the big Teem Plaza if I needed something which was not available at the smaller Chinese shops.

As we were wandering through Teem Plaza, past the hundreds of exclusive clothing stores and only glancing at the clothes displayed in the windows, as I certainly didn’t want to buy any expensive clothes, I suddenly stopped and froze in amazement. There in the window was a beautiful coat almost identical to a coat my mother made for me when I was a little girl. It was black and white in a hounds-tooth pattern. As I stood there looking at the coat, memories came flooding back.

In the village where I lived as a little girl in Denmark my family was considered the “Smith family.” The other families in the village would give their old clothes to us, as it was well known that my parents had little money to buy us clothes. One day the village doctor brought two huge bags of old clothes to our little cottage. My siblings and I dived into the bags to see what treasures were hidden there. I spotted lots of little patches of material in the black and white hounds-tooth design; the patches would only have been 12 inches by

12 inches. I eagerly collected all the rags and held them tightly, as I didn’t want my sisters and brother to take them from me. Later I spread them out on the floor and asked my mother if she could make a coat for me from the rags. My mother was a wonderful dressmaker and excelled in repairing our clothes and indeed making new ones from material given to us.

To be continued ………….. by : Tove Vine, Author, Philanthropist and Teacher of English as a second language – Owner of Miss Tove’s English School, Tian He, Guangzhou - South China Author of T.I.C. This is China - M.A.D. Making a Difference in China - G.A.P Get a Purpose http://www. tovevine.com/ Tove Vine - Have you ever http:// www.youtube.com/watch?v=tPM23Ze0YBM

www.tovevine.com 2014 October-November

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Roles Are yours holding you back?

by Gay Landeta

We each have many roles, but these often create conflict and frustration. We can start to feel trapped. We may become exhausted rushing around, example, as parent, corporate lawyer, yoga student, cook, money manager and daughter …. plus many more.

As human beings we believe so strongly in the importance of our roles that we teach our children that they need a role in life to be happy.

If they don’t create one for themselves we can worry about them – and they often accept our indoctrination and worry about themselves.

What they should have or be by, for example, age 21 or 28 or whatever. In fact we humans tend to get so caught in the importance of our roles that we can start to believe that once we stop playing a role our world will fall apart.

We become lost in our roles, believe that they define us and then start to believe that to be of value we must excel at least some of them.

Our self esteem and self worth hangs by the threads of our roles, a perilous existence!

But what if our roles are just roles that we play and are secondary in importance to who we truly are.

What if what we do doesn’t really matter that much in the biggest scheme of things – OW!

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Most ego’s will react to that one! But think about it, how many people do we hear of who have their whole life explode around them, often through illness or accident, and need to let go of their roles. Those people will very often say how that event changed their life for the better, even if it was incredibly painful.

And then think about those you many know who have clung onto an ex-role and, as a result is stuck in their ex-life.

Dealing with the ‘ex-ness” of it, and letting it go, painful as it may be, allows us to become stronger and more inspirational to others.

Learning to detach from the limitations of our roles and realising that we are always more than any role, allows our authentic self emerge, and that Being is unaltered by any external event. Anchoring into that Being allows us to move into the joy and wisdom that can be seen on the ‘other side’ of those major events.

We will all experience major change, most of us luckily escape the explosions but we will all experience the kids leaving home, loosing a job, the death of a loved one. And at those times, as we grieve, it is important to realise some grief lies around the loss of or change in identity, i.e. one of our roles. Our Being has not changed.

The Buddhists have a core teaching about the concept of impermanence, that everything is temporary, including our human incarnation, and that our attachments, including the faulty belief of permanence, is the source of all suffering.

Many resonate with this teaching but bringing this concept into day to day life takes courage because our roles have taken on importance.

Letting go of the need to be our roles can feel almost like annihilation. A small step is just realising that there is more to life and who we are than the roles we play. We can then start to anchor into Beingness.

Our roles, our life, even our physical incarnation are just tools for our True Self to use in the world, to help us to learn our lessons and enjoy our planet! We need to anchor to our center and allow our roles to become something we choose to do. Not have to do. We can experience and stay connected to our life, our loves and joys, even our disappointments without feeling they are us.

As we learn to detach but stay connected we learn to live life more joyfully with less suffering.

Our many roles clash less and clarity about our future emerges at the right time.

Life becomes more graceful, even in the rush!

Sit with the concept of impermanence and remember that we are all more than we appear to be. And see if it opens doors for you.

Enjoy the Process & Create the Life You Want to Live.

This Month resolve to remember that our roles are just roles, not who we ‘Truly Are’.

Copyright Š 2014 Create the Life. All Rights Reserved. This article may not be used without the prior written consent from the author.

www.gaylandeta.com.au

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NEW

MASTERMIND GROUPS STARTING SOON

INTERESTED?

www.businessmastermindgroups.com.au

• Do you wish to move your business to the next level for 2014?

• Would you like help to generate a large number of ideas for solutions to any challenges you are experiencing?

• Are you wishing to have input from other business people into your business?

• How would you like to have your business dissected in a creative way?

• Are you looking for new contacts to support you?

• Do you have ideas you would like to share with others?

• Would you like to have your business brainstormed by other business people?

Directors Guarantees

Are you still liable?

by Graham Doessel

Time and time again we speak to clients who have been chased (and often defaulted) for debts incurred by companies long after they stopped being directors.

Most directors think that their liability ceases once they stop being directors. Most of the time this assumption is INCORRECT !

Even though they are sometimes referred to as ‘directors guarantees’, as from a legal perspective, they are mostly personal guarantees giving by directors.

Therefore, the liability of a director or former director under a personal guarantee will continue unless and until the lender/creditor provides a formal release from that guarantee. If you are concerned that you may still be exposed to a personal guarantee given while you were a director of a company that you are no longer involved with, call 1300 ADS LAW (07 3088 3777) or email us at info@ADSLAW.com.au for a confidential discussion as to how we can help.

Armstrong Doessel Stevenson Lawyers www.ADSLaw.com.au 2014 October-November

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BUY TIME

Not Properties

by Daimien Patterson

Now this is a very important lesson to note if you wish to be successful property investor. Successful property investors know that the real aim of the exercise is not actually to buy properties. No, really! Of course buying properties is necessary but it’s not the key to success.

The real aim is to buy time! Successful investors know that if they can hold their portfolio long enough they will make more money than they need to deal with any problem that comes up. The main way to buy time is to maintain a healthy cash buffer.

Interest rates will rise, and they will fall again.

Unforeseen maintenance problems will present themselves. Rental vacancies will occur. All these things will happen, but we don’t let them deter us from investing in property. Because if we do that we won’t make any money at all!

The main strategy to deal with all these risks is to maintain a large cash buffer. One way is to establish a bank account, such as an off-set account against a mortgage or a line-of-credit, and make sure you have some cash in there.

Throughout the year you can use that cash to pay for unforeseen expenses, and then come tax time, when you get your big property investors’ tax return, top the buffer up again.

Too many inexperienced property investors go out and buy as many properties as they can and leave no cash in reserve. They soon get caught out and have to sell a property or even default on a mortgage. Don’t let that happen to you!

Focus on what you can handle within a specific time period, and don’t overexpose yourself to risks. After all, there is always a degree of risk involved in any investment – what matters is how you handle it.

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So here’s what you need to do:

1. Build up a cash buffer, increasing this incrementally as your portfolio grows 2. Create an offset account for your mortgage to hold this cash 3. Set up a credit card to pay for your expenses, topping this up automatically from your offset account 4. Develop a long-term plan for growing your portfolio at a sustainable pace If you’d like to chat more about what options you have, give my office a call on 1300 372 677. I offer personal 90 min Property Investment Coaching Sessions and/or Portfolio Reviews.

Aside from this, I host complimentary property investor training days around the country, so please visit www.propertyinvestmentmentor. com.au/free-training or give the office a call if you’re interested in finding out more.

Daimien Patterson is Australia’s leading property investment strategist and CEO of Integrity Investment Properties. Want to know more?

You can also get Daimien’s book for FREE at

www.propertyinvestmentmentor.com.au

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You can make a dierent ‌. It is as easy as a click on your computer.

Awesome Authenticity Cartoonist Ryan McDonald-Smith

www.awesomeauthenticity.com.au 20

Connexions Business Mag

Have you ever wondered why you are Networking?

by Jennie Gorman

This is a question I ask people quite often. I believe, if you are not aware of why you network, your outcome will not be what you are hoping and wishing to achieve.

Is your reason to become a better networker for career building, developing a higher profile, earning more money/ financial gain or to gain influence in your community, job or business network?

This is an important question. If you understand why you are networking, you will find that you will have a clearer vision of what you want.

By not understanding this and what you expect to gain, you will not move forward. Wordof-mouth marketing has been around forever and is a powerful way to build your business.

I believe, done correctly, it is the best way to build the relationships and business you want for the future.

If for you, networking becomes a natural way of life, it becomes the most successful way to do business. It is necessary for you to learn the basics if you wish to be successful though. It is all about relationship building.

You will find that after a while you don’t even think about what you are doing.

Networking should always be a win-win for all parties, so always repay appropriately favours extended to you.

Remember, when you give a referral, notify the receiver and the person who is being referred so they are both on the same page. I find email the easiest and quickest way to do this. It is important to give information as to why you are referring the person so that both are aware of what has been passed on. This helps both sides to have more of an idea of the relationship with the referrer. Always make it clear what your relationship is with the person you are referring, for example, they are a client, a personal friend, someone I feel that you will have a synergy with, you have or haven’t done business with them etc.

One of the most important things to remember is that you need to be seen, become known and move into the marketplace that is appropriate to you, at your own pace, always keeping in mind why you are doing it. Attend one or two specific networking groups and become known as a ‘regular’. People then perceive you as stable, reliable and trustworthy will then do business with you.

It is important you find your niche market, so the types of events you attend must be appropriate for your needs.

Remember, that the people you are looking to do business with are looking for you too! jennie@connexionsunlimited.com.au

www.connexionsunlimited.com.au 2014 October-November

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Assets...

The ‘Stock’ of Your Business

by Anthony Davis

At Brightwater we define the ‘Stock’ of your business as that valuable commodity that you convert into dollars for your business. You may consider ‘materials’ as the only ‘stock’ of your business. By virtue of the definition, there are many other ‘stocks’ of your business for you to consider. Here are a few ...

For businesses including those without ‘materials’, the most valuable ‘stock’ is Labour . This is normally measured in hours and called ‘time’. Another Labour related issue that is often overlooked is the Value … the quality and experience of you and your people.

Your Database is a very valuable ‘stock’, the value of which is seldom fully appreciated. It is cheaper to have an existing client buy again than to acquire a new client. Floor space is another ‘stock’. How well do you use your available space to generate income?

Retailers measure income per square metre.

Then there is your Equipment. Is it well used to generate income or does it sit idle for long periods of time? Then there is your Intellectual Property (IP) . What is your IP and how well do you maximise the return it brings for your business?

How well do you manage these other ‘stocks’ of your business? If you would like to discuss these important business ‘assets’ further, call

Brightwater on 1800 242 366.

Finally, if you have a specific question you would like answered about the Stock of your business, let us know in the on our Blog comments or email us at bizplan@brightwater.com.au. We’d love to hear from you!

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Call Jennie to discuss how this works for you 0414 278 344

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Leadership to Inspire :

NELSON MANDELA

by John Milne

People worldwide this week honoured the life and sacrifices of Nelson Mandela for his inspirational leadership to South Africa and to the world. We saw dancing in the streets and moments of quiet reflection, as a grateful nation grieved and celebrated. He stands with Martin Luther King and Mahatma Gandhi as the greatest leaders of the twentieth century. His amazing journey spanned nine decades on “The Long Road to Freedom.�

It doesn’t matter where you start. How could a boy who grew up in a minor branch of royalty, run away to escape an arranged marriage become a freedom fighter against apartheid? How could this nationalist, democratic, socialist succeed in negotiations with a brutal white, minority government? How could he move from prison to freedom, from revolutionary to democratically elected leader with a spirit of reconciliation and forgiveness? How could he maintain his dignity to those who persecuted him?

Know yourself. Through the worst times he was his own man. Mandela had a esilient character based on a realistic knowledge of who he was, what he believed in, and what he stood for. In prison he became a very private person,

keeping his emotions in check.

This self discipline helped his spirit survive.

Find a purpose big enough to live for. Mandela trained as a lawyer, to speak for those whose voice had been silenced by the apartheid laws and unrestrained violence directed against its leaders.

Freedom beckoned.

Work with others you trust.

Mandela, from his twenties, carefully chose like minded associates to work with, on the huge tasks of winning voting rights and equal rights, to break free of the segregation imposed by a white minority.

Hold the dream in all circumstances. His long years in prison on Robben Island and on the mainland changed him forever.

Yet the face of harsh treatment and provocation he kept his natural dignity and strong will.

Work your way to fulfilment.

Even in his darkest days and nights, Mandela never gave

up hope that real change could come. Patiently, doggedly he negotiated repeatedly with wardens to win concessions, government ministers and finally President F.W. de Clerk. His presence and stature avoided more widespread violence in ending apartheid. The dream of multi racial elections in 1994 saw him elected as President for a five year term.

He reached out to the white minority when the home team won the World Rugby Cup. This father of South Africa will continue to inspire young and old across the generations. His legacy is secure. His lessons can become ours. His inspiration and words of wisdom in his neat, close script can help us change our world for the better. (C) John Milne 2013 John Milne is a Coach, Author and Speaker. He encourages aspiring, beginning and mature leaders to peak performance.

Book a 6 Star service workshop 0448357626

www.leadershipdownunder.wordpress.com 2014 October-November

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Are you using the RIGHT

Marketing Strategies?

by Deborah Jackson

The essential thing in marketing is attracting clients to able to make a sale, without any customers we have no one to sell to. If we don’t sell we don’t have a business.

Many marketing strategies can be followed to attract clients. The following is a list of strategies for you to check. Write done on the ones you’ve implement or put a targeted date on the ones you want to improve or implement.

• Defining your client buying advantage • Creating an attention getting audio logo • Creating a core issue article • Creating an ezine or newsletter • Creating an executive summary, which is a big overview of what you do on one or two pages • Create the contents for a website • Have the website developed (I guess creating a website and not developing it is a shame but it’s not unusual: ‘I’ve been working six months on my website and still I don’t have it’) • Creating a promotion strategy for the website, especially relevant for people who have a website but no one’s visiting it • Create a networking strategy • Create a centres of the influence strategy developing relationships with people who refer you • Creating a joint venture strategy • Creating a writing and publishing strategy on and off line • Creating a speaking strategy • Creating a direct outreach strategy – direct outreach is letters, calls, combinations of those, it could be mass, it could be very fo cused, but you’re really going after someone directly as opposed to putting out information and having people come back to you • Creating a sales strategy process

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• Creating specific offers or packages for your business • Creating a proposal to sell your package or your services • Creating a service strategy.

Let us start from the end. A service strategy is crucial to your business, it is the pattern you follow with your clients, and the constant action you take while working with them that will produce a positive reaction. This is exactly what you need to get encouraging reviews from your customers.

This strategy is one of the most important strategies in marketing since most business comes from word of mouth and this won’t happen unless a person is satisfied with the service he was offered. You can sell great products, have great hotel rooms, or delicious meals at your restaurant but if the service is lousy no one will come back and they will surely not spread the word about your business.

Now to make a sale and to succeed in marketing you have to follow a certain procedure that someone once called the marketing stepladder.

We will be talking about first, second, third and fourth rungs.

First Rung: While at the first rung, you should try to get the attention and interest of your clients. People you are connecting with should get enthusiastic to know more about what you have to say or what you got to offer. Then it is all about taking the first step, and to do so you should remove all your negative thoughts gather all your ideas together to make that first impression interesting and get your potential clients to want to hear more.

Second Rung: The progression of a sale starts formally on the second step. That’s when you have to learn more about your clients and what they need. It is also about attracting them to your products or services throughout a detailed explanation of what you offer, what you are specialized in and why they should choose you instead.

Third Rung: This is when your clients are ready to make the purchase of whatever you might be offering.

Fourth Rung: Closing the deal.

This whole process can happen in hours or days; no one can predict the exact length it will take to make the sale. The important matter is to follow the basic principles of not skipping any step, being well prepared and get there solidly and officially ready.

If you’ve got everything in a row, you can get to the next step faster, that’s one of the whole purposes of better marketing, doing the steps faster, easier, and less struggling and effort.

There will always be thousands of good marketing answers,

strategies, techniques, that will help you attract more clients.

You should invest time to learn and practice them, but you’ll become a better marketer if you learn to ask good marketing questions.

Questions to ask yourself: · Why should somebody buy your service? · What distinguishes your services?

I’m going to ask the same question five different ways, just for clarity. · What makes it special and unique? · What is the advantage of your service over everyone else’s service? · Is it your offering that’s unique, special and different? · Is it the way you provide service? · Is it your price? · Is it the quality of your service in comparison to others? · How are you just different or unique in contrast? · You know ‘those guys do ‘xyz’ and we do ‘abc’ and that’s an advantage to you’ – that’s often a very good marketing strategy – what’s the difference?

Once you answer all these questions you will have a solid strategy called client buying advantage that’s the foundation of all your marketing - what you’re selling, who you’re selling to and why it’s valuable for them.

It is important to mention, that to succeed in marketing you should not be a slave to one simple strategy. All strategies work together as an entity and you should learn how to use them all in harmony.

Want to know more about the right marketing strategies?

Send Deborah an email at

deborah@engagedmedia.com.au

She would love to hear from you! After working with a wide variety of unique business owners she discovered that, even for the most magnetic personalities and innovative creators, the constant struggle to attract clients was universal.

Each of the ambitious professionals she collaborated with was extremely knowledgeable in their chosen profession, and tired of being a best-kept secret.

They wanted to share their knowledge and be known.

In response, Deborah created a program designed specially for entrepreneurial and dynamic business owners and professionals who want to become prominent thought leaders, key influencers, and famous in their field. Not celebrity famous on Vogue magazine cover - but be recognised as a leader in your area, have business come to you, and approached to give a local TEDx Talk kind of famous.

Deborah takes you through a unique process from publishing content, speaking authentically, publicity and a strong online presence that will elevate your brand, expand your reach, create profitable products, and polish your professional profile to appeal to clients and position yourself as an expert in your field. Want to find out how Deborah can make you Famous! www.engagedmedia.com.au

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Protect your lifestyle while you make your money

by Robert Bauman

You are hard at work making money, building your career or your business, and you’re building a lifestyle for your growing family. The kids love to have the latest gadgets… and if you don’t have children you are probably spoiling yourself with items you always wanted to have, and I’m talking big kids’ toys like boats and red fast cars here. This is all good, until such time as life takes a turn and throws you a curved ball from left field, something you hadn’t factored in.

Usually this kind of incident is an unpleasant one, and it could cost you everything you own. Let’s assume one of the worst possible scenario where you are being sued by someone who is only out to gain financially from litigation.

Moreover, there are many legal firms around today who are specialising in pursuing litigation claims for clients on a ‘No win – No fee’ basis.

It is shocking but true. In the eyes of many people, litigation has become a ‘legitimate’ plan to get rich. Sue somebody! And unfortunately, Queensland is leading the way and quickly sliding towards Lawsuit Madness.

If you own an investment property or are running a business, you are already at risk of suffering the inevitable.

How do you protect yourself from losing all that you have?

these practical, breakthrough strategies are available to you.

Take your future into your hands now! Click here to contact the Team at Straight Money Talk Pty Ltd for a FREE “Money Health Check” and we will walk you through the many and varied protection options available.

We’ll clear a path through this minefield and show you practical, low-cost ways to get effective protection.

Yes, you can protect yourself — your business, your family, your assets — from lawsuits.

You can ‘build a wall’ around the things you’ve worked so hard to achieve all your life.

And you can have the peaceof-mind and confidence to know you and your assets are safe and secure.

Disclaimer: This information (including taxation) is general in nature and is for Australian residents only. It does not consider your individual circumstances or needs. Do not act until you seek professional advice and consider a Product Disclosure Statement.

To find out more about services provided by Straight Money Talk Pty Ltd please visit my website.

Until now, only those on the ‘Rich List’… and the largest companies (and their lawyers) knew about these asset protection strategies that give you and your family the security you deserve. But now,

Straight Money Talk Pty Ltd is a Corporate Authorised Representative of Millennium3 Financial Services Pty Ltd ABN 61 094 529 987 an Australian Financial Services Licensee number 244252.

I don’t want to scare you now and I certainly wish that nothing like this will happen to you. All I want is to make you sit up and think about what could happen if it happened to you.

And now that I’ve got your attention, I’ll even give you some answers to the questions you might be pondering.

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MASTERMINDING WHAT IS IT?

by Jennie Gorman

Business MasterMind Groups have been created by Jennie Gorman to help support business owners grow their businesses and achieve the outcomes they wish for their businesses future.

Commencing in 2009 with an image that networking/relationship building needed to be more than it was, the concept came to be as a result of Napoleon Hill’s book “Think and Grow Rich” and a desire to help small business people achieve what they want and desire to achieve.

In the beginning we were not structured like we are now or aware of the importance of accountability, which is now a main part of the process.

Firstly though, we need to become aware of ‘WHY’ we are in business, what is our Vision and Mission, what are the outcomes we want for ourselves personally and professionally.

It is necessary too that people think about their Legacy … what do they want to leave behind them from their business. It is a short term business to create money or is it something deeper in the difference they wish to make to their life and the world?

Leveraging is maximised through joint venturing, collaborating, virtual assistants or on the ground staff has also brought about another aspect of importance in running a

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business. For a business to succeed from leveraging it needs to have a structure and process, and we endeavour to support this to give business owners the freedom they came into business to achieve in the beginning.

For business owners to have their peripherial vision opened it is necessary to have an independent Board of Directors who have no connection to you, your business or the outcomes. This gives a very different view of a business when there is no vested interest other than support and care Goal setting in a process that makes it achievable is a vital part of moving forward. We create 90 Day Action Plans which was reviewed fortnightly to keep the momentum happening. On-going personal support and friendships at a deep level occur when the group synchronises. By using Wealth Dynamics as the tool to understanding the differences in people by taking away any judgement, allows one to have the opportunity to find 100% of personalities as their client, not just those that are similar. By having two facilitators working with each group, who ‘profile wise’ are opposites, another dimension comes into the room. Each group is carefully selected to bring about the combinations of personality styles.

As we are all at different levels in our business so we work in three areas to make sure that the experience gives a successful outcome. Start-Ups, Small Business Owners and Executives. These all have different levels and requirements necessary from the above.

Of course, whether masterminding works or doesn’t work is all about the commitment and responsibility taken by the business owner. Trust is the most important things brought to the group and if we can achieve that within the first couple of meetings the group will come together easily.

Confidentiality is of utmost importance within any group.

Without this, the group will not achieve it full outcomes.

We can only support and be there when asked to be there by giving support, knowledge, information, a sounding board and a full commitment to doing what it takes to create the outcomes wanted by each member of the group. The benefits of being part of a mastermind group, other than above, is made explainable

by Napoleon Hill’s words: “The moment you commit and quit holding back, all sorts of unforseen incidents, meetings and material assistance, will rise up to help you. The simple act of commitment is a powerful magnet for help.”

He continues: “No two minds ever come together without thereby creating a third, invisible intangible force, which may be likened to a third mind.”

www.connexionsunlimited.com.au

CONTACT US TODAY! Call William at 0481 30 69 61 Email - william@effectivesolutions.com.au Call Julie at 0409 527 647 Email - julie@effectivesolutions.com.au 2014 October-November

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Here’s what others are saying about Jennie’s workshops:

Jennie, a huge thank you for ‘The Power of Relationship Marketing’ workshop you ran on Saturday from Our Business Hub. It was an awesome day... really worthwhile information, inspirational and yet so practical. I would recommend it to anyone... business owners and their personnel...everyone would benefit from a workshop such as this one. I also enjoyed making new contacts and really appreciate your commitment to making our business journey a better one.

Gail Caines, Ultimate Body www.ultimate-body.com.au Thank you. You really are special and I greatly appreciate your time, assistance and generosity of spirit yesterday by providing me a place on your Relationship Marketing workshop. How timely! It was like you opened a window in a closed room and ushered in the balm of a gentle breeze winged with rightfully impersonal but genuine, universal love. I received a redundancy from the state public service months ago and have been struggling since for a variety of reasons. I’m systematically addressing those with inspiration thrown in too of course; your input is most precious like “oil on cogs” right now.

Anne Bothwell, Anne Buys Houses

Jennie’s workshop on The Power of Relationship Marketing was an informative day. A wonderful array of information and sharing of this topic was very helpful; assisting those in attendance with clarity in coping with the diversities of personalities understanding the different interpretations of Relationship Marketing. Jennie’s way is open and clear. Her wealth of experience also brings such clarity to any situation. There was so much information to assist anyone wanting to create a better marketing relationship in any facet of life. This course is applicable to everyone and everybody will gain a greater understanding from Jennie’s presentation in understanding the Power of Relationship Marketing.

Hop to it now !!

Jan Muir, Health & Wellness

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Excel vs Xero

by Sandra Price

As a small business owner you are no doubt up close and personal with Excel spreadsheets.

Over the years business owners spend hours, days, weeks trying to create the ‘perfect’ spreadsheet for managing and recording their finances. And for the most part it probably worked. However, Excel is not without its limitations. Limitations which Xero can help emancipate.

One glaring issue with Excel is that a fairly complex knowledge of using formulas is necessary in order to produce even simple records. Cloud based accounting systems such as Xero do the hard work for you. You enter your data and leave the complex stuff to them. This helps minimise the inevitable human error that often comes with creating large spreadsheets.

Similarly, the reporting capabilities of web based accounting systems such as Xero far outweigh those of Excel spreadsheets, which are less dynamic and whose data is much harder to manipulate.

The stand-alone nature of Excel means that importing external data is complicated, if not impossible, but Xero allows you to link other cloud based data such as bank records with your financial data. This helps create a single point of reference for your business information.

Excel spreadsheets certainly serve a purpose and there is a time and place for their use, however, utilising web based accounting systems like Xero take your business to the next level of record keeping.

Phone +61 468 944 130 Email sandra@pbks.com.au Website http://www.pbks.com.au

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Awesome Authenticity Cartoonist Ryan McDonald-Smith

www.awesomeauthenticity.com.au

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Photos

Ian Parkin, Jennie Gorman & Holly Hazen

Geoff Kirkwood, Tove Vine & Jennie

Jennie & Michael Donoghue

36 Jennie Connexions Business Mag & Daimien Patterson

‘Our Business Hub’ Our Training Room and our Board Room is available for hire at reasonable rates – full day, half day, evening and weekends.

4/1311 Ipswich Rd., Rocklea, Queensland, Australia 4106

(entrance via Abercrombie Street, second driveway on the left, off Sherwood Road)

For more details, visit www.facebook.com/OurBusinessHub

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‘Our Business Hub’ Unit 4, 1311 Ipswich Road, Rocklea

DIRECTIONS We welcome our clients and friends to ‘Our Business Hub’.

This place has been created as a place for small business owners to get together to support, collaborate, co-operate, joint venture, share, learn and network for the future of small business owners.

Using a GPS

 Key in Abercrombie Street, Rocklea (noting that the entrance to the street is via Sherwood Road).

We are the second driveway on the left when you come into Abercrombie Street. Park in the complex where you can see a space.  Office is located towards the end of the driveway facing Ipswich Road.  You will find us on the Ipswich Road side of the complex closest to Sherwood Road, opposite of Westpac.

Coming from the city via Ipswich Road:

 Travel down Ipswich Rd to the Muriel Rd/ Sherwood Rd exit. Also signed as Brisbane Markets. Veer Left and keep in the right lane.  Turn right at the lights under the motorway.  Continue through the next set of lights and take 1st left into Abercrombie St.  Turn left into the 2nd drive way and find a park in the complex. In the open you will see some spots with Connexions Unlimited or Aussie Painters Network OR go undercover or up the ramp.  Office is located towards the end of the driveway facing Ipswich Road.  You will find us on the Ipswich Road side of the complex closest to Sherwood Road, opposite Westpac.

Coming via Fairfield Road:

 Head south on Fairfield Road until you come to the intersection of Sherwood, Ipswich and Muriel Roads.  Turn right into Sherwood Road. Turn 1st left into Abercrombie St.  Turn left into the 2nd drive way and find a park in the complex. In the open you will see some spots with Connexions Unlimited or Aussie Painters Network OR go undercover or up the ramp.  Office is located towards the end of the driveway facing Ipswich Road.  You will find us on the Ipswich Road side of the complex closest to Sherwood Road, opposite Westpac.

Coming from Ipswich:

 From the Ipswich Motorway take the Fairfield Rd exit.  Turn 2nd left into Sherwood Rd, then take 1st left into Abercrombie St.  Turn left into the 2nd drive way and find a park in the complex. In the open you will see some spots with Connexions Unlimited or Aussie Painters Network OR go undercover or up the ramp.  Office is located towards the end of the driveway facing Ipswich Road.  You will find us on the Ipswich Road side of the complex closest to Sherwood Road, opposite Westpac.

Call Jennie on 0414 278 344 if you need help.

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Upcoming Events Discover HOW to Tuesday, Make YOUR Business 21st October 9.30am–1pm More Sustainable Workshop

Do you find it lonely being in business on your own? Looking for some new tools to support you in your business?

• Spend 3 and a half hours on your business growth and experience some new processes ; • Learn how you can create what you want by understanding some of the processes used; • Develop some strategies to streamline you better; • Gain some new skills and resources to move your business forward.

This is a COMPLIMENTARY workshop

Using Google and Getting Your Work onto the Cloud

Wednesday 22nd October 9.30am–11am

Tam Ho from 7dci

(www.7dcinteractive.com.au/) will be presenting a session to help support small business owners get their desktop on line so they can access their work anywhere and anytime with ease!!

Bring your laptop and work online!

This is a COMPLIMENTARY session.

NO CHARGE … but call Jennie 0414 278 344 to book.

CONTACT Jennie on 0414 278 344 for bookings

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Upcoming Events ‘Learn HOW MasterMinding is 10 Times More Powerful than Networking’

Wednesday, 5th November 4pm-6pm

THIS FREE SESSION Is For:

…. entrepreneurs who have come out of corporate and find that it is not as easy as it looked; … business/managers/owners/ entrepreneurs who have been in business for some years and need an independent; ….“Board of Directors” and/or someone needing to be kept accountable with support to move to the next level.

Do you know what you WANT from 2015 and beyond?

Create 2015 to be YOUR Year!

Workshop

Tuesday 2nd December 9.30am-1pm

JOIN US and create 2015 to be what you want by making it YOUR year at this ‘HOW TO’ workshop through GOAL SETTING and VISION BOARDING. Jennie will take you through a process so you can consciously create your future. She can show you the ‘HOW TO’ by DOING and CREATING your vision in three hours. This will be life changing.

The goal setting process will help you set your year and life. BUT, you do need to understand the process to get exactly what you want.

You will have a workbook and do activities to help you achieve what you want from 2015 by putting in place strategies that will support you to achieve your goals.

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Contributors Cover: Jennie Gorman & Michael Donoghue from Acru Property

Editor : Jennie Gorman www.connexionsunlimited.com.au businessmastermindgroups.com.au

Graphic Design : J. Anne Delgado

Anthony Davis www.brightwater.com.au Daimien Patterson www.propertyinvestmentmentor.com.au Deborah Jackson www.engagedmedia.com.au Gay Landeta www.gaylandeta.com.au Graham Doessell www.ADSLaw.com.au

Being accountable WILL MOVE YOU forward fast - Jennie Gorman

Treat others as they would like to be treated - Jennie Gorman

Building relationships is the same for both personal and business

- Jennie Gorman

Jennie Gorman www.connexionsunlimited.com.au John Milne www.leadershipdownunder.wordpress.com Robert Bauman www.straightmoneytalk.com.au Sandra Price www.pbks.com.au Stacey Huish www.only-effective-communication-skills.com Tove Vine

www.tovevine.com