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Forward

Make sure you are doing the RIGHT things!

MAY IS - Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Month - is to raise community awareness and promote a clear message that domestic and family violence will not be tolerated in our communities. You can get more information here

Hope you enjoy this issue of bas.ically business

Sharon

BUSINESS INSIGHTS Technology is moving at such a fast pace. With the global appeal of social media and the use of smartphones your customers are closer than you think.

Combined, mobile phones and tablets now account for more than 51 percent of all web page views around the world.

Consumers use smartphones and tablets to follow a business on social media sites, as well as to research products and make purchases. It is projected that there will be continued growth in smartphones and tablets purchases and that current users will increase their dependence on these devices.

Research has shown that you only have 7 seconds to capture a customers attention when they are visiting your website so don't turn them away so quickly - make sure your site is, at the very least mobile responsive. Furthermore, make sure the buying process is quick and easy.

ENTREPRENEUR REVIEW - This month Phil Preston has taken time from his very busy schedule to share some details about himself and his business.

Business name - the Collaborative Advantage

Website www.philpreston.co

How did the business originate? During my 19-year corporate career I learned what can go wrong when organisations – and even teams within - try to work together. I also found that I had a knack for planning and facilitating processes to bring them together.

How long have you been in this business? This is my sixth year and it has evolved into a speaking, workshop facilitation and consulting business.

What do you love about your business? It is very rewarding work, especially when I help businesses work more effectively with community partners.

Is there anything you dislike? Very little, although keeping accounts and financial info up to date is not much fun!

Favourite food: A tie between coffee and chocolate.

Favourite colour: Blue

Favourite drink: A decent red wine always hits the spot

Favourite movie: Loved the cinematic experience of both Avatar and Interstellar

Favourite time of the day: Jogging or walking the dog at dawn always feels special.

Favourite item in your office: Thank you cards from clients!

Favourite app on your phone/tablet/computer: Insightly is an amazing, well-priced customer relationship management system for smaller businesses with a great mobile app to go with it.

What book are you reading right now? A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara

Which 3 people (dead or alive) would you invite to a dinner party? Why? The following three people I admire for their ability to delve deeper and inform us in a balanced way. I’d love to have them around for a lamb roast: Waleed Aly, Geraldine Doogue and Louis Theroux.

Name 3 things on your bucket list:

Hear a Welsh choir in Wales
Experience the outback
See my AFL team (Carlton) win another flag. Unlikely at present.

What do you like to do for yourself? Create something interesting from leftovers in the fridge!

Who do you seek advice from? Fellow members of Professional Speakers Australia – it’s a vibrant community of practice and we help each other out a lot.

What advice would you give to someone thinking of starting their own business? Create or join a peer support group and definitely attend Fishbowl events! Those of us who collaborate and take the journey together are more successful than those who attempt to fly solo.

What is your tip for a work/life balance? Look after yourself first because you're no good to anyone else if you're not in decent condition! And then get engaged in the community in a way that makes sense for you.

Apple / Android: Apple

Beach / Bush: Bush

APP REVIEW - Visuals play a very important role in our business, we use them in our marketing, PR and social media.

The problem is each site has a different size image requirement.

There are a number of websites that now allow you to upload any of your photos and resize them to the applicable size. By using the correct size on the relevant websites and social media platforms it allows you to showcase you and your business professionally. As for your website the correct sized and compressed photos will also ensure your page loads quickly.

SMALL BIZ TIP - Your customers are your most valuable asset so it stands to reason that the information that you have on each of them is worth dollars.

CRM stands for “customer relationship management” and it’s purpose is to store customer contact information like names, addresses, and phone numbers, as well as keep track of customer activity. With a good history of past and current clients you will be better equipped to manage future client relationships. As well as using these metrics to forecast possible growth plans.

You don't need to spend large amounts on having a Customer Relationship Model as good customer management should be practiced whether it’s through digital means or traditional methods.

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EVENTS WORTH NOTING THIS MONTH INCLUDE:

the Fishbowl - we have a FREE morning networking function on 26 May from 9.30am. See you there.

Free Flying Solo Webinar - With 1 in 5 Australians experiencing mental health issues each year, it's vital those of us working alone recognise the signals and take action early. After all, our livelihood depends on our productivity. Find out more here