Marketing Tip - Small Steps...

Grow your business by gradually making each transaction larger, and focusing on increasing the number of transactions your customers have with your business.

Small, simple - but effective!

Marketing Tip - Focus on the Problems...

Your customer's problems that is! By constantly monitoring the difficulties that your customers have, that your product/service overcomes, you will be better placed to:

1. Understand their needs
2. Meet their needs

Anchor the key problems of your current and prospective clients to your product/service, communiate it in your marketing campaigns, get your sales staff aware and focused on it, and your sales should benefit!

Office space anyone?

It seems that accessing office space is gradually getting a little easier, with vacancy rates going up in CBD and non-CBD offices around Australia.

There's also expected to be an extra 670 000 square metres of office space becoming available in the second half of 2008, and more again next year and so on!

What does this mean for business?

It means more bargaining power when negotiating for office space; less expensive access to office space (as supply has gone up, demand has not necessarily equalled it); and the potential for incentives offered by landlords, to either get their tenants to stay, or to help them move to new office space (which can be quite expensive).

Grants for Climate Ready Projects!

Applications are now open for innovation grant projects, for up to 50% of costs, ranging from $50 000 to $5M, and up to three years duration.

Applications are being considered for projects that address the effects of climate change. An example might be technologt that can reduce the energy used by appliances; products/processes to monitor emissions or energy use; or info systems for individuals and businesses to compare the carbon footprints of different activities.

Funding Round One is open until 4 September 2008. There will then be another 3 funding rounds throughout the 2008-09 financial year. Fo rmore info check out
http://www.ausindustry.gov.au/content/content.cfm?ObjectID=4330A0C8-5B13-4DC4-920CF19E0923393C

The next big thing???

Who's heard of carbon? Carbon emissions? Carbon emissions scheme?

How about carbon counting? The recent federal Government Greenpaper started the ball rolling on a whole new industry - what an opportunity! Large emitters - considered to be 125 000 tonnes of carbon dioxide or more - will need to produce an annual emissions report, and have it checked by an independent third party.

Quite a few large firms, like Connel Wagner, Ernst & Young, KPMG and Emergetics are already doing this... but what about other accounting and engineering individuals and firms? Why not set yourself up now, learn all you can about carbon emissions and how to measure them, then get into it?!

Statistics show that only 3% of company chief xecs know their company's carbon footprint... is it time for you to educate them?

Interesting Statistics to get you thinking

Did you know: 37% of local family businesses have a formal board of directors.

Those that do - according to a survey from KPMG, Family Business Australia and Deakin University - are more likely to do better throughout economic uncertainty.

And a few more stats for you - 16% have formal shareholder meetings; 4% have formal constitutions; and only 9% have performance reviews for family members.

Last of all... 97% of these businesses have a male chairman. I find this statistic most interesting of all! Of the family businesses you know, how many have female chairpeople? Do you think this statistic is accurate?!

Courtesy of BRW - August 14-20, page 14.

ONLY 8 PLACES LEFT!!!

Get in quick if you want to participate in our very first Young Entrepreneurs Stepping Up Program! At the beginning of the week, there were 16 places available...now there's only 8 left!

The YESUP program focuses on Lifestyle Marketing Systems. As a small business ourselves, we know that there are two key needs to be met for a business to grow: Marketing and the ability to create systems within your business. So we’ve combined these two topics into an amazing new program for young entrepreneurs!

How Does YESUP Work?

YESUP combines skills workshops, one-on-one mentoring and more to produce real and immediate results for you and your business. The workshops are run over six weeks and concentrate on the Lifecycle Marketing System creation for your business. They are presented by Jessica Kiely, the Director of The Frank Team. The one-on-one mentoring is also

run over these six weeks and allows you to work on an area you have identified within your business for some intensive assistance and guidance - all with an experienced and successful business person. More information about these elements is below.

YESUP will cost you ONLY $200 (+ GST). But it’s valued at over $4450. Invest a small amount of money for a very large return. This program gives you access to the type of training that normally costs you thousands of dollars!

If you’re a young entrepreneur between the ages of 18 and 35, running a business in NSW that has been in operation for at least one year, and you are interested in taking part in our skills and mentoring program, contact Lesley on (02) 9966 4333. For more info go to http://www.frankteam.com.au/entrepreneur/marketing-systemise-program.html