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Hi <<First Name>>,
We had such a great time at last week’s workshop where the participants created fabulous vision boards and went away with greater clarity and some specific actions to take to move forward.

As usual I was so engrossed in the workshop that I forgot to take photos until the very last minute! Here are some participants, planning their next steps.
In my newsletter this week:
  • My Money Back guarantee for ‘Showing up'
  • Why you should network strategically
  • What do you need to hear?
  • How about it?
Please do read on....

My Money Back Guarantee! 


My next workshop will be Show Up without Showing Off on 4 February.

I’m really excited about this workshop, which is a new addition to my workshop portfolio.  

It's been developed in response to hearing a number of small business owners say how they find it hard to sing their own praises and promote their business. 

The workshop will help you to:
  • feel more confident about communicating what you do and
  • speak compellingly about who you help - and how.
Exercises will include:
  • Understanding your offering
  • Valuing your work
  • Promoting each other
  • Identifying key activities
  • Dealing with inner critics
  • Adopting a success mindset
I’m so keen for you to experience this workshop that I’m offering a MONEY BACK GUARANTEE. 

If you come to the workshop, participate in all the exercises and feel at the end that it hasn’t helped you to feel more confident and better equipped to ’show up’, then I will refund the workshop cost.

Sign up now to reserve your place.

Why you should network strategically 


Last week I talked to someone about networking.

She is doing lots of it, but there was no evidence that it was giving her any benefits.

I asked her how she prepared for each networking event.

Truth is, she didn’t!

And that’s where she’s going wrong.

Like everything in business (and life) you have a better chance of success if you know what you want and have some kind of plan to get it.

When it comes to networking this means:
  • choosing what networking events you attend
  • Identifying what you want to get out of each event, and
  • making a conscious effort to get it
If you want to meet someone in a particular industry or profession, look for them!

Let’s say you want to meet electricians.

If there’s an attendee list, check it to see if there’s anyone there from an electrical business.

If so, ask the organiser to point them out, or better still, introduce you.

If not, look for people in related industries, who would work with an electrician - perhaps a plumber, builder, estate agent. 

Then find them, chat to them and ask them if they can recommend an electrician to you.

This works just as well for any kind of business - florist, hypnotherapist, caterer, web designer.

Find the person who would work alongside them - and ask for recommendations.

Of course, if you’re going networking for another reason, that’s fine too.

Maybe you’re there to learn, to alleviate the loneliness of working alone, or to check out a new venue.

Whatever the reason, just be clear why you’re going - and what you want to get out of it.


What do you need to hear?


I’ve recently worked with two different clients who are hiring their first employee.

We’ve talked about the role, and the skills and attributes they’ll be seeking from their new employee.

Now they are both at the stage of interviewing prospective candidates.

I asked them:

"What would you need to hear to know this person is NOT right for the role?”


In both cases, this gave them pause for thought.

Most people are looking for reasons to hire someone, rather than reasons not to!

But knowing what would be a deal-breaker can be really useful.

It’s a question that works just as well if you’re looking to outsource some work - perhaps to a web designer, copywriter, virtual assistant or accountant.

What  might they say that would indicate they’re not a good fit for you?

It can be a very quick way of identifying whether you are likely to work well together.


How about it?


There’s an exercise I often use in my workshops called 'How About It?’

We used it last week in the Vision Board workshop and I was reminded how well it works.

You can use it in lots of situations.

All you need is two or three friends / fellow small business owners.

This is how it works.

Each identify an issue you want help with.

In turn, briefly explain your issue to the others and ask for their suggestions.

Then write down every suggestion they come up with WITHOUT commenting or answering back!

Each suggestion should start with the words: "How about....”

For example, maybe you are looking to find 10 new clients.

Suggestions could include:
  • How about asking existing clients for referrals
  • How about doing a leaflet drop
  • How about increasing your social media activity
  • How about offering a free talk at a local surgery / pub / co-working space / coffee shop.... - as relevant
and loads more.

No doubt you will already have thought of, and perhaps tried, many of the suggestions.

Write them down anyway!

Sometimes hearing them from someone else makes you realise it's worth trying again.

Sometimes it triggers a related or unrelated idea you haven't tried.

Nearly always you will also hear ideas you haven't thought of.

I challenge you to try this!

I bet you get at least one idea well worth pursuing.

Future Workshops


My next workshop  is:

Show Up without Showing Off - how to promote yourself and your business more confidently - 4 February


Don't forget, I’m offering a money back guarantee on this workshop if it doesn’t make you feel more confident about promoting your business. So if you’re hesitating, don’t! Sign up now.


Also scheduled is Look Smart on Linked In - how to get smarter on Linked In, so you have a credible presence there - 4 March. 

However this workshop is already fully booked! Please let me know if you’re interested in it as I may schedule another date if there is enough demand.

Other workshops that may be held in 2020 are:

Business Housekeeping - getting and keeping your business in order

Finding your Ideal Client - how to identify your 'ideal client', and then track them down

Managing your Clients - master the art of fabulous customer service and minimise payment issues

Using Newsletters for Business – why do it, what to say and who to send it to

Time Management - how to manage your time more effectively to achieve better business results

Business Blogging with Intent - what blogging is, why and how to do it, and where to place it

Know your worth – what to charge and how to negotiate your price with customers

Details of all my workshops can always be found on my website.
“Amanda has the ability to get you to find the solution, to work through the issues rather than dictating or telling you.

This approach has been so refreshing, rewarding and enjoyable.

Amanda has a relaxed charm, a good listener but then insightful, getting to the heart of matters quickly.

Every session has been rewarding, with purpose and at a pace which doesn’t feel pressured or rushed.”

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Business Made Simpler · Glamorgan Road · Kingston Upon Thames, Surrey KT1 4HP · United Kingdom

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