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Hi <<First Name>>,

This week I’m sharing a few insights gained during a busy week of coaching and networking.

If you’re planning to come to my '
Get going on Canva' workshop on 3 March, don’t forget to book your place. My February workshop sold out - so please don’t leave it too late!

In my newsletter this week:
  • We must(n’t) stop meeting like this
  • What do you own?
  • Two simple ways to gather feedback 
  • Are you feeling generous?
Please do read on...

We must(n’t) stop meeting like this

If you go networking regularly you’ll know that it’s accepted practice to follow up with booking 1:1 meetings afterwards.

Typically you book these with someone who has grabbed your interest.

They may not be a potential client, but they could be a supplier, someone who might introduce you to other useful contacts, or simply someone who you found really interesting, and who you’d like to get to know better.

I’ve had quite a few 1:1s over the last few weeks, and have been reminded just how valuable they are. 

Often the outcome is quite different from the one I expect!

Take just three, for example.

The first meeting was delightful.

We quickly found common ground and identified that we were potentially looking for similar clients.

However, our approaches are completely different and we both specialise in different areas, so in practice would be likely to cross-refer people.

The second meeting was ‘challenging’.

I felt overloaded with information and found it hard to absorb. 

The third meeting was useful.

We were potentially both clients for each other, but by the end of the session had established that it would only work one way.

In all three cases, I went away with a much better understanding of the other person, their business, and they ideal client, and I am much better equipped to look out for the right introductions.

When did you last have a 1:1? And what did you learn?

What do you own?

Sometimes I hear people say:

“I’m not a business owner; I'm self-employed / just work for myself / hire my services out.”

They think that to be a ‘business owner’ you need to own a limited company, or have premises, or employ staff.

I disagree.

You may not own a company, but you definitely own something.

How about:
  • Your expertise
  • Your skills
  • Your knowledge
  • Your client base
  • Your bank balance
  • Your laptop, phone, software, desk, chair, etc?
You probably have all these and more.

Depending on your business, you may also have specialist equipment, products, and suppliers who provide anything from raw materials to IT services.

I believe you're a business owner if you are responsible for all the key decisions about your work, and you don’t earn a salary or have an employment contract.

Are YOU a business owner?

A simple way to gather feedback


I’m always grateful when people take time to share their tips for making business simpler.

After my last workshop I sent out my usual feedback form.

It’s just a word document, based on the form I used to use for my face-to-face workshops.

When you have people in a room, it's fairly easy to get them to complete the form before they leave.

When you go virtual, getting feedback forms back is much harder.

And completing a form online that was created on Word is tedious.

A timely comment from one participant made me realise that I needed to make it easier.

She suggested I use Typeform (thanks Jane).

It’s a simple tool that lets you ask up to 10 questions, but the downside is that you can only gather a maximum of 10 responses before you have to upgrade to a paid version.

Having tried Typeform, I’ve realised that I can use SurveyMonkey in exactly the same way.

I find it more flexible, more user-friendly and there is scope to tailor even the free version to a greater extent.

You are still limited to 10 questions, but there is no limit to the number of responses.

 If you’re creating forms, why not take a look at both, and see which you prefer.

Or if you already use something else, please let me know.
Are you feeling generous?

I make no apologies for returning to a topic I’ve addressed here before.

A couple of recent conversations have reminded me just how important it is.

We all know people whose social media posts shout “BUY ME”.

Irritating, isn’t it?

Personally I scroll down quickly, or hide, unfollow, snooze or in extreme circumstances, block them.

Nearly every business-related group I get involved with reminds us at some point that people buy from people that they know, like and trust.

It’s the same online.

You need to build rapport with your audience, and the best way to do that is by being generous in two ways:
  • With your knowledge, sharing helpful tips and even giving free advice, if appropriate 
  • With your self, letting people have an insight into your personality and life, and how you tick
Sometimes people resist this approach, and say to me:

“But if I give away my knowledge for free, why should they pay me?”

It’s simple really.  

If they need what you have to offer, the generic output you give out will start them down the right track, but sooner or later they’ll want more.

And then you are perfectly placed to provide it!

My workshop portfolio

My next date for Get going on Canva is on Wednesday 3 March at 10am. Come and learn the basics of using Canva, create your own design and get feedback 
 

Also available on demand are:

Look Smart on LinkedIn - building a credible presence on LinkedIn

Business focus and goals - reconnect to your business purpose and get clear on your business goals

Know your worth – manage your finances, understanding what to charge and learning how to negotiate your price with customers

Developing your Business Strategy - plotting your route to business success

Networking skills - why, where and how to network effectively

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

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

Managing your business risks - understand what can go wrong, and what to do about it

Managing your Clients - master the art of fabulous customer service and minimise payment issues
 
Be Desk Smart – gain a more robust business set up, cut your stress and have a healthier workspace

Be Time Smart –  use your time better, achieve more and feel more in control


Details of all my regular workshops can always be found on the workshops page of my website.
Amanda headshot
“Amanda’s support and coaching has provided me with so much confidence and enabled me to refocus on my business.

Having someone to sound out ideas and plans, and help flesh out pain points and, at the same time, give a rationale alternative explanation has been incredible.

I couldn’t recommend her services more highly! Thank you, Amanda!”
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Business Made Simpler · Glamorgan Road · Kingston Upon Thames, Surrey KT1 4HP · United Kingdom

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