Coffee Time Minutes - 27th April 11

Welcome

Welcome to our new visitors.

Apologises

Dean, Kathy, Toni, Julie, Mark and April, Michelle

Who we are?

Small and Home Business owners meeting to build relationships from other SBO’s.

What is CT?

Relatively casual meeting group, where you can network, talk about business ideas and strategies, and learn from one another.

Where?

Tuggerah’s Zenith Centre.

When?

At 10.30 am on the 2nd & 4th Wednesdays of the month. Arrival 10.25 am for 10.30 am start. (Runs for about 1 hour)

Update on our Raffle?

Coffee Time raised $251.12 this year for the Iris Foundation in 2010.

This year we will continue with our Raffles and donation to Iris Foundation. This year we will do a raffle again for the Iris Foundation. We will be looking for prizes/donations up to the value of $10. Its will be up to you if you would like to participate and none should feel obliged. Tickets will be $2 each, or three for $5.

Updated Members

We have over 105 members for Coffee Time. You can come when you are free, never feel obligated and always feel welcome. I have a list with everyone who has come along to Coffee Time; I am updating the distribution list. If you would like to be included, please check your details are correct, update where necessary and add if not on there.

There are 2 business card holders, please feel free to put your business cards in, these are passed around each meeting, and feel free to support each other and utilize their services.

Networking:
• Coffee Time 11th May
• Coffee Time 25th May
• B2B Networking 17th May – Erina
• Success Women’s Networking – 5th May
• Fridays round the coast SBNG – 3rd Friday her at Zenith
• BEC – Women’s Forum 1st June at Diggers @ the Entrance
• BWC lunches on each month – for more info contact Kym Williams
• 15th July – Westpac Chopper Race Day

Expo’s in 2011
• 29-30 Apr 2011 – Buy Local Festival – Bridgecoast Stadium Terrigal
Over 180 people/businesses booked in to the festival already.
• 22/6/11 Central Coast Women’s Network – Mingara Tumbi Umbi

Advertising with Buy Local
• B2B – online buy local $22 per month – see B2B or http://www.buylocalconnect.com.au/
• Book now and sign up – and you will get couple of months for free (coffee time members only)

Education:
2011 – Visit BEC upstairs or log on to http://www.ccbec.org.au/

Courses:
• 4/5/11 – Research Business Opportunities
• 11/5/11 – Operating a business from Home
• 18/5/11 - Modern Selling Techniques
• 25/5/11 - Modern Selling Techniques
• 8/6/11 - Business Planning
• 15/6/11 - Business planning
• 13/7/11 – Importing and Exporting

Action Coach is running Business Mastery – Business Cart IV. If interested contact Michelle on 4369 3704

Update:
• Iris Foundation is having a treasure hunt at the buy local festival. Looking for donations - $20 for each business. Contact admin@irisfoundation.com.au

• Colour me RED – Fund raising for SIDS on the Coast. Fun Day at the Dam Hotel Warnervale on 22nd May 2011.
• 15th May – Samaritans High Tea at Kooindah
• NSW Business chamber has an alliance with local chamber of commerce’s, speak to Daniel Farmer or your local chamber
• 18th June – Masquerade ball at Wyong Race Club $77 per ticket
• 23rd July Christmas in July
• Melbourne Cup – Wyong Race Club

Wins:

Kate – Kate is giving away 50 $2000 holiday vouchers at the buy local. Started advertising on Face Book, and getting hits
Nicolette – picked up 2 weddings, and the photographer for the buy local Festival
Lisa – Kids back a school
Tony Bourke – one of his articles has been published in the “Insurance & Risk Professional” Magazine

Kate – Events with Pizzazz
18th June - Masquerade ball – brig a virtual guest for $10, and then money will go to the Iris Foundation


Who are you & what do you do: 30 Sec story about you

Casey Targett
Best:Signs www.bestsigns.com.au & http://www.grassads.com.au/

Tarnia Gurney
Gurney Financial Services http://www.gurneyfinancialservices.com.au/
Planningwerx4U http://www.planningwerx4u.com.au/

Nicolette Gregory
Photographer onefitone@bigpond.com

Kate Morris
Events with Pizazz http://www.eventswithpizazz.com.au/

Karen Teunissen
CRS Australia http://www.crsaustralia.gov.au/

Marama Carmichael
Essential Wellbeing http://www.essentialwellbeing.com.au/

Kellie Targett
Insurance Adviser net ktargett@iaa.net.au

Cassandra Parrish
Insight Health – Nutritionist & Wellness Coach http://www.cassandraraparrish.com.au/

Tony Bourke
AIIB Insurance Brokers http://www.aiib.com.au/

Lisa Matthews
Natural Beauty by Lisa

Luke Haanskorf
CCIT luke@ccit.net.au

Ellis Hopper
Rotary Club of Wyong http://www.d9680.rotary.org.au/


Presentation – Tips for Networking by Tarnia Gurney

Information is from Jennifer Harwood’s book – Art of Networking

• What is a network?
o Where people gather in a group, to meet new people, learn from each other, get inspired and gain confidence, find resources & leads

• When choosing a network:
o Understand your values.
o Know what you are looking for – what can you gain
o Know what you can offer

• 5 keys to joining a network
o Support local businesses
o Participate
o Contribute
o Keep a balance
o Have fun and learn

• Where to find a network group
o Speak to family and friends and let them know what you do and how they can help
o Emails, newsletters
o Industry groups
o Sporting groups – soccer or football clubs, netball and tennis groups
o Community groups
o Local councils

• Etiquette for networking
o Watch what you dress and how you present yourself
o Thinking about how you speak. Make sure you don’t swear, use slang, sound rough.
o Speak clearly
o Listen to the other person
o Be professional, friendly and welcoming
o Be authentic
o Be on time
o Wear a name badge

• Networking Tools
o Make sure you have professional business cards
o Including:
 Name
 Address
 Position and title
 Business name
 Contact numbers and address, website, email
 Company logos & colours
 Slogan
 On the back – what you do
o Brochures
o CDs & DVDs
o Electronic – Website, emails, phone

• Keys for successful Networking
o Have an intention – be clear
o Have a network buddy – introduce people
o Have a centre of influence – connect with others
o Create the conversation – listen and be interested
o Alliances – build relationships
o Be creative with your introduction
o Start slow and build relationships

• Remember the 3 P’s
o Patience
o Persistence
o Participation

• How to work a room
o Breathe
o Walk in
o Say hi to someone
o Introduce yourself
o Ask them have they been to an event before
o Be relaxed
o Say hi to someone else

• Remember Names
o Repeat their name when you meet someone
o Write down their details on their business card
o Remember the person

• What doesn’t work
o Gossiping
o Talking about yourself all the time
o Taking everyone’s card in a frenzy
o Watching the room
o Standing around waiting for someone to come to you

• What does work
o Have an intention – what can you give, who can you meet
o Being excited, friendly
o Share yourself and be real
o Hand out your cards
o Ask and give referrals
o Be generous
o Listen
o Follow up
o Ask the person what is the best thing about their business or role

These tips are from Jennifer Harwood’s book “the Art of Networking” great book to read. Has some exercise included helping people prepare for events. Jennifer is an expert in Networking and is an international motivational speaker. http://www.jenharwood.com/

Open discussion on Networking:
• Go and talk to people.
• Remember everyone was a first time networker
• Be yourself
• Speak clearly and professional
• Ask people what they do, be interested in them

• Join a group:
o Coffee time
o BNI
o Success Women’s Network
o B2B Events with a twist
o Business Women Connect
o Chamber of Commerce
o Small Business Networking Group
o Rotary
o Community group

• Help others interact
• Join a board – e.g.: Chamber of Commerce
• Join a online network through blogs or newsletters
• Don’t be a network junkie. Decide what works for you
• Talk to people you know, but meet others

Thanks everyone for sharing

Today we raised $26(included in total for year). Thanks for your support. Today’s winner is Cassandra, Thanks to Dawn & Bev who has donated today’s prize.

Planningwerx4u has Business Planning Cds for $50 each, if you would like one please let Tarnia know.

Thanks and see you next time

NEXT MEETING: 11 May 2011 Presentation – ATO