Spotlight on Illuminate Consulting

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Mark Patterson has taken offices at The Monash Enterprise Centre.  His core business addresses:

  • Social planning policy and strategy development
  • Community consultation and stakeholder engagement
  • Strategic and business planning

With over 15 years’ experience in local government and the not-for-profit sector. Mark has broad experience in social planning, policy, and strategy, as well as a proven track record in management and leadership. He has worked and volunteered in areas including management, social policy, community development, advocacy, youth housing and child protection. Mark has expertise in a range of social strategy areas including community facilities, diversity, place management, housing, public health, volunteering, and community safety.

Mark has recently launched his enewsletter through his website.

Sign up for Mark’s newsletter here.

 

Contact:

 

Does Facebook have a place in your business promotion?

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Often small businesses tend to dismiss Facebook and Social Media for a number of reasons:

  • Not understanding that it is a way to market themselves.
  • Thinking that just setting up a Facebook page equals an increase in sales.
  • Not realising that it’s a great place to tell people about specials, ie. sell to them.
  • Not updating once the page is established
  • Never promoting the Facebook site through other mediums eg email signature, website.
  • Not responding to comments.
  • Not being aware the attraction of a well-designed page
  • Not having the know-how to run the Facebook site.

You may be sitting there thinking my page is not up to speed, so how can I improve it?

Here are some tips. (from Lara Solomon, in Smart Company 24 Nov 2011)

  1. First work out why you actually have a page, what is it’s purpose; if you can’t think of one then maybe you don’t need it!
  2. Decide what people get from liking your page, what’s in it for them – there has to be something- if you can’t think of anything then it probably means you are going to spam them with info on your products!
  3. Work out what your page needs to improve and find out how to do that. Here are some places to go for info – when you get there you need to search for the info if you want it:
    a. Social Rabbit
    b. Inside Facebook
    c. Social Media Examiner
  4.  Alternatively, if you don’t have time to find the information and do it yourself then hire someone (note this costs money, think up to $1,000 for a page overhaul).

Small businesses have such a huge advantage in the world of social media versus large companies. Okay, so you don’t have a budget to promote your page on TV or have your brand name on everyone’s lips, but you are quick, nimble, real, authentic and open to embracing new technology with a high care factor. Take advantage of what Facebook and other social media have to offer, as the benefits outweigh the costs if you do it right!

What have you done improve your business promotion through Facebook?

Share your views on the value of Facebook for your business.

Lara Solomon is the founder of Mocks mobile phone socks, Chief Rabbit at Social Rabbit – your guide in the world of social media, founder of Steps – the online Facebook and LinkedIn training course and author of ‘Brand New Day – the Highs & Lows of Starting a Small Business’. Lara’s business LaRoo was the winner of the NSW Telstra Micro-Business Award in 2008.

Is your business using iPad apps? See the latest for small business.

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Shield your business from emergencies with our new iPad app.
MyBizShield is an innovative app to help you create an emergency management and recovery plan for your business. It gives prompts and handy tips every step of the way.
The app includes practical steps you can take to protect your livelihood, from backing up data to making sure you’ve got the right insurance records. It’s about planning for the worst, not hoping for the best.

Protect your business, download the app now.

Go to http://www.business.gov.au/Documents/iPademail.pdf

 

NBN: how will it impact on small firms and home operators?

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The National Broadband Network Company will allow wholesale internet service providers to cater for small firms and home operators, enabling businesses to tailor their broadband services.

NBN Co., the builder of the network, has outlined plans for telecommunication companies and ISPs to offer quality voice services and longer hours of customer service to small businesses.

According to Jim Hassell, NBN head of product development and industry relations, the new services will give telcos and ISPs more flexibility in offering packages at affordable prices.

“Many home office or small office operators and small businesses are currently using standard residential services for their telephone or broadband, or opting for business-grade offerings over copper-based ADSL2+ services,” Hassell said in a statement.

But for some businesses, receiving business-grade fibre-based services represents a huge jump in terms of price.  Read on..

Is there some good news ahead for the economy?

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The release of positive economic news this week has raised hopes the last two months of the year will deliver a boost for businesses.With an interest rate cut last week, retail sales data and a positive consumer confidence reading, there’s good reason to hope that this year’s holiday season may not be as weary as first thought. And while CommSec economist Craig James warns consumers might not “spend as though there’s no tomorrow”, there is still hope of higher turnover for businesses, and not only those in the retail sector.”They may spend a little bit more, but no one is going to go crazy in this environment – I would think the RBA has another interest rate cut on the way. It’s just a matter of when.”

Until then, there seem to be enough signs to encourage businesses and consumers that things aren’t necessarily as bad as they seem. Here are five pieces of economic news that should encourage you:  Read on

How is your business faring? Your comments add to the understanding of the local economic climate.

 

Have you thought of attending a Business Breakfast to connect with like-minded business colleagues? Like the idea of brainstroming to solve your business challenges?

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Business Breakfasts are becoming more popular for small business owners whose business depends on their presence during working hours.  Maree Hamilton, the Director of the Network Events Melbourne, in conjunction with the Monash Enterprise Centre, conducted a presentation today (Nov 3rd 2011) focusing on Maree’s “Blueprint for Business Success”, encouraging businesses to change their mindset and achieve a lot more in their business, without the necessity to increase their payroll costs.  Maree highlighted the need for businesses to incorporate  internet and social media marketing, system driven software & innovative technology into business practices to achieve more exposure in their target market.

Be an action taker & attend our breakfasts – you never know who you may meet, what opportunities you may discover & what you may learn.

Maree Hamilton says…..
“Business is built on relationships. Do you dream of having your business operating on autopilot? Feel guilty that you are not spending enough time with your loved ones? Sometimes feel frustrated and wish you never went into business in the first place?
There is a no-brainer solution to solve the problem that you can’t be all things to all people. Imagine if you left your business running efficiently without you – having a wide range of experts helping with your social media, marketing, public relations etc. Better still, imagine not having to staff. As a CPA accountant with over 20 years experience in the tax and accounting field and consulting to small business, I analysed the traits that successful businesses had in common.
The meaning of a successful business can be different for everyone but many people consider success to include a combination of more money, improved cash flow, time, freedom, flexibility and control. We all enter the business world because we are chasing dreams. The reality is almost every entrepreneur is overworked and underpaid and if you calculated your actual hourly rate you would be in tears!
We all need to put time into how we develop relationships with others. Imagine if your big break came down to a discussion with a key decision maker of a large corporation. How would you stand out from the crowd.”

Your feedback on this morning’s Blueprint for Business Success is valuable to Maree Hamilton as the presenter, so please share what you gained from today’s session that you can apply to your business.

Maree will be incorporating a brainstorming session at the end of each breakfast so business owners can discuss & challenges they are facing right now.

Let us know if you find business breakfasts are the way to go for your networking and learning opportunities, or if Webinars would be a more flexible option for you?
 

 
For more information about networking opportunities click here
 

Are you mobile ready – Or is it a waste of time?

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A recent article on Smart Company suggests your business should engage with “Apps”.

The article states that a leading bank will be releasing their payment app this week, and it was a lot better than many were expecting. The application allows users to make payments to others and retailers using their phones.

The article questions whether or not a small business is putting enough effort into going mobile and integrating ecommerce in their business operations? If not, you should definitely get moving fast.

Some of the thoughts the author shared were:

  • That you should use video as part of your marketing
  • Small businesses should keep up with technologies
  • That many businesses don’t even have a web presence

SO WHAT DO YOU THINK – IS IT A WASTE OF TIME?

Should your business keep up with the latest technologies? Let us know by leaving your comments below? If you are using these technologies, how have they helped you in your business?

To read the full article go to:

http://www.smartcompany.com.au/information-technology/20111027-what-we-learned-this-week-the-future-is-mobile.html