Harnessing our inner strengths during challenging times

Shane Martin - www.moodwatchers.com set out to demystify psychology and de-stigmatise mental health vulnerability. Humour and stories are all part of his approach and if some were left disappointed "I was hoping for more happiness tips and techniques", others from the large turnout (33) were well satisfied "Better than an evening with Ardal O’Hanlon – and much more practical!

Thank you Shane for your time. Keep the positive message going. Remember a smile automatically helps your client/customer/colleague to relax. And at no cost!

Key speakers re-ignite Sligo women in business

SWIBN is delighted to announce the first event in their new monthly programme, entitled “outstanding conversations”.

And at the same time to let women know who to keep an eye out for in the next few months.

For inspiration in June, our first choice is Pádraic O’Máille. To follow, what really makes you happy? meet positive psychologist Shane Martin. On turning your business green, don’t miss leading edge thinker Bonnie Horsman. And for all your queries about press and publicity, meet WMB magazine founder Rosemary Delaney.

Events are monthly - held on the last tuesday, open to all women and free.

SWIBN is funded by the Sligo County Enterprise Board.

What: SLIGO WOMEN IN BUSINESS EVENT:

IN CONVERSATION WITH PÁDRAIC O’MÁILLE

When: Tuesday June 29th 2010

Where: The Glasshouse Hotel, Sligo

Time: 7.30pm to 9.30pm

Questionnaire - what you told us about SWIBN

Thank you for taking the time to fill in our online questionnaire. And yes, we are listening. Based on your feedback, here is what you need in the coming months.

Trust

41% of you described your level of 'trust' within the group to be higher than other networks. 54% of you see SWIBN's advantage as being a place where you can share ideas, resources and knowledge.

Our objective will be to build on the level of trust, build on your desire to share, by creating more networking opportunities at events and outside of it. Tuesday night threw up some great new ideas so we now have plenty to get started with.

Like-minded

We are a 'women only' group and you seem to like this...describing the positives as supportive, common business issues, recognisable life-styles. However you recognise too that mixing with other groups is good for business.

Our objective will be to plan for a couple of events in which we invite/include other networks (possibly with a few men thrown in!)

Knowledge

22% of you see the network's role to help you build your knowledge/skills and 27% of you see finance as your key need.

Our objective will be to plan two events in which we look at aspects of business finance most likely to be impacting on your ability to plan your business forward.

Commitment

22% of you also see the network's role key role in building your confidence and maintaining your commitment to your business.

Our objective will be to provide space at every event for all members to raise issues, get feedback and communicate news. Watch out you will be called upon to speak!

Who

And finally, nearly half of you admit that what determines whether you come out on a Tuesday night is 'who's speaking'.

Our objective will be to continue to inspire, educate and surprise you with fresh and exciting speakers for the next 6 months.

And finally... finally, we can do our bit to help SWIBN grow but so can you.

Here's your objective:

If you know a great speaker is on the cards, tell a friend, get her to come with you - she could be Sligo's most successful entrepreneur in waiting...she just needs a little encouragement from you.

See you next month - Tuesday June 29th. Details to follow.

Thank you

Amanda

Celebratory meeting- Tues 25th May 2010

We want to talk about our noisiest networking event yet...and to suggest what you can do to make sure that it is.

Simply this, ask someone to come with you. That way, by the end of the evening new people will know about you and your business.

Need to let them know what to expect?

Here's our plan...

7.30pm We welcome you and we have a few announcements to make
7.50pm You introduce yourself, your business and the person you've brought

to the whole room
8.20pm We'll review your priorities by examining responses to the questionnaire
8.50pm Tea / Coffee - a chance to chat: networking activity 1
9.00pm Group brainstorming: networking activity 2
9.30pm Finish

Re-appointment:
We are delighted to be re-appointed by the County Enterprise Board and would like to thank so many of you for your positive endorsements of our work over the last 12 months. We really enjoy contributing to a re-energised SWIBN and we will continue to bring our own brand of enthusiasm and challenge to you for the remainder of 2010.

We'd also like to acknowledge Liam Kiely at Sligo CEB and thank him for his ongoing commitment to the development SWIBN, for the funding which allows us to offer FREE events for members at a time when budgets are so tight. We owe it to each other to make the most of this resource.


Thank you - Amanda and Oonagh (SWIBN Facilitators)

Recession busting tips from SWIBN

SWIBN combined forces with Sligo Chamber for a special event on April 27th to welcome EU Ambassador for Female Entrepreneurship, Judy Greene.

Prior to Judy's presentation we asked members for their recession busting tips - "What changes have you made in your business in the last 12 months?" It took just 15 minutes to generate a list of actions taken by Sligo's pro-active business community. Perhaps you are asking yourself what changes you should make in your business? We've created a useful checklist to help get you thinking:-

Money:

• Return to the old bartering system
• Seek money in advance on certain assignments
• Progress payments on large assignments instead of waiting until end
• Offer discounts regularly

Managing costs/reducing overheads:

• Stop printing statements and email statements at end of each month. Saves on postage and gets a quicker response
• Weekly stocktake
• Renegotiate rent, reduce staff costs ( reception and cleaning staff)
• Only turn on necessary lights
• Operate 'just in time' - to reduce amount of stock held
• Cancel mobile broadband account - use wireless broadband in office and wireless broadband in public areas

Marketing and new media:

• Implement more innovative and personal ways to market the business
• Text promotions
• Build marketing plan using Facebook, Linkedin and Blogger which is free to promote business
• Upgrade website and create a blog
• Build profile via TV programmes - i.e Home Chef

Clients:

• Go out to customer instead of waiting for customer to come in
• Set aside an hour each day to set up appointments in diary
• Follow up within a few working days with your recommendations based on review of client needs
• Re-visit clients on a bi-weekly basis
• Follow-up appointments made when patient is in the clinic
• Send out reminder calls for appointments

Pricing:

• Focus on core/most profitable part of business
• Pricing remains same as 2008/9 - no increases

Training:

• More time on training
• Cross training

New product format:

• Changed photo products - more flexible for smaller sites
• Bank loan to change office into apartment

If you have any recession busting tips to add, please don't hold back. If you are reading this blog, we'd like to hear from you. What's working for you and why?