Coffee Time Minutes - 28th March 2012

Welcome

Welcome to our new visitors

Apologies

Rachel, April, Bev and Kellie


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?

Today we raised $23 bringing the total this year raised $140 (including this week’s total) for this year for the Iris Foundation in 2012.

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 110 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.

I have bought a card box for everyone’s cards and the folders were ripped. Please utilise the card holder box, please pass around each meeting, and feel free to support each other and utilize their services.


Recap of last meeting

Who was here last meeting? Who remembers what we talked about? Did we put into practice? How did we go?

Workcover

Don’t forget Jay can come out to your workplace and do a free assessment; you can then get a $500 voucher/credit towards purchasing safe office things (chair, etc). Jay also has workshops, one on one meeting and assessments currently available. If you wish to have a free appointment with Jay please contact him on jay.lewis@workcover.nsw.gov.au


Networking:
· Coffee Time 11th March
· Fridays round the coast SBNG – 3rd Friday here at Zenith
· BWC lunches on each month – for more info contact Kym Williams
· Success Women’s Networking Luncheon – 26th April


Toukley Neighbourhood Centre

Info on cheap reconditioned computers. Call Kylie if interested.

We don’t have any laptops in stock at the moment but we will have some more in next few weeks! We have Hp and IBM desktops with 17" LCD screens 1Gb ram 80GB Hard Drive Intel Pentium 4 DVD burner, anti virus software, all windows updates, basic word processing software (open office) all for $150 with 3 months warranty! Just let me know how many and I can have them here within a day if not already here! 356-356 Main Rd EAST TOUKLEY. My number is 0413241331


Education:
2012 – Visit BEC upstairs or log on to www.ccbec.org.au
April Courses:
Make your Mark – Trade marking – 3rd
Social Media Domination for Small Business (advanced) – 4th
May Courses:
Recruitment and Staffing Structures – 2nd
How to recover debts part A – 9th
How to recover debts part B – 16th


BEC has Memberships available:
- Business Basics Membership - $249.
- Business plus Membership - $748.


For more information, please speak to Darren or Debbie at the BEC – 02 4355 4885


Update:
· Buy Local Festival – 18th and 19th of May at Wyong.
· Business Expo – 19th September at Mingara
· Buy Local Key Rings – going coin donation – money raised goes to the Iris Foundation
· 4th May - $1000/head - Slither and slumber – for the Iris Foundation. More information www.irisfoundation.org.au
· 24th May – Gurney Financial Services Biggest Morning Tea
· 17th of May – B2B Networking at Zenith Centre
· Kate has Entertainment books for sale $60.


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

Tarnia Gurney
Gurney Financial Services www.gurneyfinancialservices.com.au
Planningwerx4U www.planningwerx4u.com.au

Nicolette Gregory
Photographer onefitone@bigpond.com

Dawn
Iris Foundation www.irisfoundation.org.au

Natalie Williams
ET Australia www.etaustralia.com

Marama Carmichael
Essential Wellbeing http://essentialwellbeingforbusiness.com

Kate Morris
Events with Pizazz www.eventswithpizazz.com.au

Toni Fountain
Insight Health www.insighthealthaustralia.com.au

Michelle Allen
Webstuff.biz www.webstuff.biz

Scott and Shelly
Forsythes Recruitment www.forsythesrecruitment.com.au


Wins

Tarnia – No smoking 2 weeks
Nicolette – 12 months in Australia and in business – 28 weddings in first yr. and will be in the bridal magazine in a feature.

Dawn – Iris Foundation has become an independent charity. They will be working with Wyong Neighbourhood Centre to work with the community in early intervention.
Slither and Slumber has 35 people booked in so far. Looking for 70.

Marama – has new software to offer her clients

Michelle – has set up a green company. Selling products, healthy alternatives including a water bottle. www.greenecoliving.com.au


Presentation today

Michelle from Webstuff.biz talking about Social Media

Linked In
Corporate site
Search for people you want to do business with
Can get background on people you want to deal with or meet
Market in or out of areas
New clients elsewhere
Tap into companies websites and connect with their team and then you can service their needs
Linked in for business and professional people
Join or add groups
Add messages to groups
Get into a professional conversation
Join Central Coast Professionals Group – network on line with your local businesses
Low marketing budget.
Give recommendations for people
Get a recommendation from people
Being used by corporate business
Builds rapport with each other and businesses
Once rapport built then business can be done
Pay a free and have extra services – advertising and marketing, events, and emailing people

Twitter
Free
Short messages – 140 characters
Connect with others
Follow people
Others follow you
Groups – start a group or join a group,


Face Book
More personal
Set up a page for your business
Have your personal page away from your business
Be careful what you say
Events
Promote your business
Can pay for advertisements


All Sites
Get referrals from people, clients, other business
Promote your business
Makes connections
Developing word of mouth
Sponsoring – Branding
Combine social media and networking
Branding – same branding for all social media
Make sure your branding is correct
If your using foursquare or a check in application – be careful who is watching you
Internet stalking – who’s watching you. People will check up on you before they do business with you
Separate social media - personal and business life.
Be aware of what you are posting
Think about “will it affect you and your business”
Put a banner on your Face Book Page

Thanks Michelle and thanks everyone for your participation, hope everyone got something out of it.

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

The winner of the raffle today was – Scott from Forsythes

Today we raised $23 for Iris Foundation.

Thanks and see you next time

NEXT MEETING: 11th April - arrive 10.25am for 10.30 start – sharp

Presentation – Listening Skills