March Newsletter

I hope you enjoy the March edition of the Women in Business WA newsletter.

Be inspired as you read about our Woman of the Month, Kotzé Kotze from the Bohdi Tree. Turning passion into profit, is what Karen has done. She has combined her love and passion for inspirational books and coffee and is opening her store The Bodhi Tree on 1st April in Mt Hawthorn.

If your business has become passionless, look outside it and you may find the answers. Revisit your vision, goals and check your values. Enrol in workshops and seminars, engage in learning. I love to learn new things and for the past 6 months I have been a member of The Business Masters Club and Business Masters Program run by Anthea Moffat from Business Fusion. I have also been involved with a very inspirational group of women through group coaching. The benefits to me and my business have been fantastic.

Read about how NLP will give you the power and then learn about the 7 steps to developing a Strategic Marketing Plan.

Are you over the doom and gloom of the economy at the moment? This is the time to embrace change, set some goals ands charge ahead.

We also have some fantastic special offers including a FREE Business Masters Club workshop invitation. I hope you will make the most of the wonderful opportunities available.

Woman of the Month

The seeds of The Bodhi Tree were planted in Karen Kotze's mind in 2003, and the last five years have seen the business grow slowly and steadily, from a glass cabinet full of books on the office wall in 2006, to an online bookstore in 2008, and finally maturing into a magnificent book café to open in Mt Hawthorn on 1st April this year.

Karen is passionate about the philosophy of The Bodhi Tree, with her core focus being to fill a need that exists in our community for a more purposeful and conscious way of life –read more

Focus

The Focus this month is all about using the power of Neuro Linguistic Programming (NLP) to take you from where you are to where you want to be.

NLP Will Give You the Power

Your unconscious mind is working for you 24/7, thinking up to 90,000 thoughts per day. It is the power house of your emotions, memories and choices. Just imagine for a moment if you had set of incredible tools to maintain your power house and have consistent control over your emotional state, thinking and behaviours patterns.

That control will give you the choice and opportunity to live the life you imagine NOW –read more

The 7-Step Strategic Marketing Plan

Marketing can be very expensive and so every business needs a smart Strategic Marketing Plan that will increase sales and the value of the business. Here are the 7 steps you need to go through in order to develop your Strategic Marketing Plan.

1. What products do you sell?
In defining the products you sell you need to work out the benefits your customers are really buying. Charles Revson, founder of the cosmetics giant Revlon once said “In the factory we make lipstick, in the store we sell hope.” What are you really selling?

2. Who are your customers?
Your customers include not only those who currently buy from you but those who could and who are currently buying somewhere else. Whether you sell business-to-business or direct to the consumer you need to clearly define your customer segments. Who are your customers? What are their characteristics? Where are they?

3. Who are your competitors?
Knowing who your competitors are and what they are currently offering is very important, particularly at this time. When was the last time you did a competitor analysis?

4. What is your sales model?
What volume of each product and service are you going to sell? And at what price? Your sales mix is the foundation of your sales model.

5. What are your marketing objectives?
If you aim at nothing you will hit it with amazing accuracy so get really specific when setting your marketing objectives. There are 4 business growth strategies to choose from – market penetration, market development, product development and diversification.

6. How will you win?
Customers buy differences that they perceive. How will you position yourself to be different from your competition?

7. What are your tactics
The nitty gritty. Which marketing tactics are going to work best for you? Your choices are advertising, direct mail, brochures, websites, educational marketing etc etc. You need to choose your tactics wisely to avoid wasting valuable marketing dollars.

If you would like to learn more about how to develop your Strategic Marketing Plan why not attend the Marketing Mastery workshop being run by Anthea Moffat on Monday 31st March at the Stirling Business Centre.

Half Price Deal: Anthea has very kindly offered 3 half price places for Women In Business WA readers. The cost will be just $247.50 including lunch and all your materials. For further information about Marketing Mastery you can download the brochure here.

To reserve your half-price place call Anthea Moffat on 9307 9383 or email her, anthea@businessfusion.com.au

Group Coaching

For the last 6 months I have been a participant in group coaching sessions facilitated by Business Fusion at the Stirling Business Centre. I have to say that I have found it to be invaluable.

Group Coaching involves meeting with 5 other non-competing business owners and a facilitator, once a month for 3 hours. At the meetings, each participant shares a question or a problem and the entire group brainstorms solutions and ideas for you. It’s very supportive, motivating and great value.

This program is supported by Federal Government funding and so it will only cost you $330 for the entire 6 month program. You may also be eligible for a $220 Smart Training voucher rebate.

The groups are very popular and places are generally not advertised so if you are interest please contact Anthea Moffat at Business Fusion immediately on 9307 9383.

Monday’s 9.30am – 12.30pm – Only 3 places left
30th March, 20th April, 25th May, 22nd June, 27th July and 24th August 2009.

Mondays 12noon – 3.00pm – 3 places left
6th April, 4th May, 8th June, 13th July, 3rd August and 7th September.

Thursday’s 9.30am – 12.30pm (Only 1 place left)
9th April, 21st May, 18th June, 23rd July, 20th August and 24th September 09.

If you are interested in joining one of these groups please call Anthea Moffat as soon as possible on 9307 9383.

This Months Special Offers

Business Masters Club FREE “7 Steps to a Winning Website” Workshop
If you are a business owners who wants to improve the value and performance of your business, and you haven’t been along to the Business Masters Club yet then we invite you to come along! The dates are Thursday 2nd April 2009, 4.30pm – 7.30pm at The Function Centre, Technology Park Bentley.

The workshop, “7 Steps to Creating a Winning Website” and will be presented by Anthea Moffat from Business Fusion and Simon Eder from OolyBooly Design. Your complimentary invitation is valued at $129 and you will have an opportunity to learn about websites and network with other motivated business owners.

To register please email Anthea Moffat, anthea@businessfusion.com.au but please be quick as there are only 10 complimentary seats available.

Generating Time Workshop 2 for 1 Deal
Finally you can discover the time tested (and yet little known) productivity enhancing tips and strategies to accomplish more each day and experience more success and enjoyment in your career than you thought possible. Angie “Speedy” Spiteri is kindly offering 2 tickets for only $297 at her next workshop on the 1st April 2009. For further details click here.

Marketing Mastery Workshop – 50% Discount
See “The 7 Step Strategic Marketing Plan” article for further details.

Dates For Your Diary

Telephone Mastery
Perfect your telephone skills and watch sales sky rocket. Ava Lucanus is running a one-day Telephone Mastery course on Friday 3rd April. Contact Ava on 0412 135 855 for further details.

WIB Walking Group
Join us for a wonderful walk along the stunning Swan River. Stay fit and healthy whilst enjoying the company of other inspiring women. Our next walk is at 8am on Saturday 18th April. We meet at the playground at Burswood – just look for the pink balloons.

WIB Cocktail Function
Our next function will be at the fabulous Bodhi Tree on Wednesday 13th May. Further details coming soon.

Pass it on

If you know someone who may be interested in receiving this newsletter, you can easily forward up to five copies at once.