Comments for Women’s Network Australia Blog http://blog.womensnetwork.com.au Lynette Palmen AM | Director | Speaking to, for and about Women and business Thu, 04 Dec 2008 21:11:15 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.5 Comment on Critique Your Press Releases for FREE by Lynette Bowen http://blog.womensnetwork.com.au/2008/07/01/how-to-write-press-releases-like-an-expert/#comment-589 Lynette Bowen Sun, 09 Nov 2008 07:12:57 +0000 http://blog.womensnetwork.com.au/2008/07/19/how-to-write-press-releases-like-an-expert/#comment-589 Oh, anyone's feedback on where to start would be greatly appreciated especially on free advertising options to get the website noticed. Oh, anyone’s feedback on where to start would be greatly appreciated especially on free advertising options to get the website noticed.

]]> Comment on Critique Your Press Releases for FREE by Lynette Bowen http://blog.womensnetwork.com.au/2008/07/01/how-to-write-press-releases-like-an-expert/#comment-588 Lynette Bowen Sun, 09 Nov 2008 07:11:40 +0000 http://blog.womensnetwork.com.au/2008/07/19/how-to-write-press-releases-like-an-expert/#comment-588 Wow - my first visit to this website and I am sure I will be back. I have just advanced my market stall business for childrens character clothing onto the web and don't have a clue really as to what I am doing but look out I am very keen to learn. I think this site is going to be a good help and confidence booster to me. Look forward to reading more and learning more from you. Wow - my first visit to this website and I am sure I will be back.
I have just advanced my market stall business for childrens character clothing onto the web and don’t have a clue really as to what I am doing but look out I am very keen to learn. I think this site is going to be a good help and confidence booster to me. Look forward to reading more and learning more from you.

]]> Comment on Everything is Expanding at WNA by mish-elle korn http://blog.womensnetwork.com.au/2008/10/19/everything-is-expanding-at-wna/#comment-552 mish-elle korn Tue, 04 Nov 2008 08:55:15 +0000 http://blog.womensnetwork.com.au/2008/10/19/everything-is-expanding-at-wna/#comment-552 yes what a brilliant idea. and he can have the first dance with you! yes what a brilliant idea.
and he can have the first dance with you!

]]> Comment on Hobbies Don’t Make For Business Success by CAROL JONES http://blog.womensnetwork.com.au/2008/09/28/hobbies-dont-make-for-business-success/#comment-128 CAROL JONES Mon, 29 Sep 2008 22:04:14 +0000 http://blog.womensnetwork.com.au/2008/09/28/hobbies-dont-make-for-business-success/#comment-128 LYNETTE, I'm an ardent follower of your business acumen and again, you're absolutely right. 12 months ago I pulled out of all my magazine advertising because it was just too expensive for a small business like mine. And I put my focus and energy into the seven blogs I write and promoting them to the market segments I want to penetrate. I also went back to my first love, direct mail, because I like to write and can make it work for me. I've always observed that when times are tough, many businesses hibernate. I started my accidental business in 1994, in the depths of the Paul Keating inspired 'recession we had to have' and had to develop marketing tactics that required more inspiration than money. And I recommend that to everyone who has a passion for their business. Because of two reasons. One you've already mentioned. When others pull back, you get noticed because you're out there telling people what you do. There's not as much clutter and noise and you have a better chance to be noticed. But there's a second reason that most businesses overlook. Even in the 'recession we had to have', with unemployment at, I think, 14%, it meant that 86% of men and women still had jobs. And these 86% of employed people still made purchases. And enough of them purchased my products, even though my signature product, The Fitz Like A Glove (tm) Ironing Board Cover is probably one of the most expensive covers in the world, and one of the most boring products to buy, to kick-start my small business. I'm a firm believer in a few pithy statements. What goes around, comes around. And when one door closes, another opens. You just need to look at the gaps and opportunities and discover how you can make your mark and corner your share of the market. And the more you give to people, the more you get back. None of this is easy. You often work in the dark, with little feedback in the first stages, but it's no different to being an Olympic athlete. The more you train, the more you practice, the more perfect you become. And there's nothing more exhilarating than receiving an unexpected flurry of phone calls about your product because one of the radio stations you sent your blog to mentioned you on the radio! Best wishes to everyone in business. It's always an exciting adventure and you sometimes wind up in the most glorious places you never expected. Take care, CAROL Carol Jones Director Interface Pty Ltd Ilford NSW 2850 Australia Tel: 02 63 58 85 11 Designers of The Fitz Like A Glove (tm) Ironing Board Cover Our simple design solutions make every product a joy to use. http://www.interfaceaustralia.com LYNETTE,

I’m an ardent follower of your business acumen and again, you’re absolutely right.

12 months ago I pulled out of all my magazine advertising because it was just too expensive for a small business like mine. And I put my focus and energy into the seven blogs I write and promoting them to the market segments I want to penetrate. I also went back to my first love, direct mail, because I like to write and can make it work for me.

I’ve always observed that when times are tough, many businesses hibernate.

I started my accidental business in 1994, in the depths of the Paul Keating inspired ‘recession we had to have’ and had to develop marketing tactics that required more inspiration than money.

And I recommend that to everyone who has a passion for their business.

Because of two reasons.

One you’ve already mentioned. When others pull back, you get noticed because you’re out there telling people what you do. There’s not as much clutter and noise and you have a better chance to be noticed.

But there’s a second reason that most businesses overlook.

Even in the ‘recession we had to have’, with unemployment at, I think, 14%, it meant that 86% of men and women still had jobs. And these 86% of employed people still made purchases. And enough of them purchased my products, even though my signature product, The Fitz Like A Glove ™ Ironing Board Cover is probably one of the most expensive covers in the world, and one of the most boring products to buy, to kick-start my small business.

I’m a firm believer in a few pithy statements. What goes around, comes around. And when one door closes, another opens. You just need to look at the gaps and opportunities and discover how you can make your mark and corner your share of the market. And the more you give to people, the more you get back.

None of this is easy. You often work in the dark, with little feedback in the first stages, but it’s no different to being an Olympic athlete. The more you train, the more you practice, the more perfect you become. And there’s nothing more exhilarating than receiving an unexpected flurry of phone calls about your product because one of the radio stations you sent your blog to mentioned you on the radio!

Best wishes to everyone in business. It’s always an exciting adventure and you sometimes wind up in the most glorious places you never expected.

Take care,

CAROL

Carol Jones
Director
Interface Pty Ltd
Ilford NSW 2850 Australia
Tel: 02 63 58 85 11
Designers of The Fitz Like A Glove ™ Ironing Board Cover
Our simple design solutions make every product a joy to use.
http://www.interfaceaustralia.com

]]> Comment on Hobbies Don’t Make For Business Success by Heather Maloney http://blog.womensnetwork.com.au/2008/09/28/hobbies-dont-make-for-business-success/#comment-127 Heather Maloney Mon, 29 Sep 2008 20:32:26 +0000 http://blog.womensnetwork.com.au/2008/09/28/hobbies-dont-make-for-business-success/#comment-127 Re: your accounts, even if you are small I strongly recommend hiring an accounts person and having them chase up your accounts in the initial instance, using a set process to do this. Then if the account continues to be late, the owner can call the customer - by that stage getting a call from the business owner will seem a lot more important than if the owner did all the chasing. Another option is to bring humour in - my accountant when ringing for unpaid bills jokes that she'll have to break your legs! Re: your accounts, even if you are small I strongly recommend hiring an accounts person and having them chase up your accounts in the initial instance, using a set process to do this. Then if the account continues to be late, the owner can call the customer - by that stage getting a call from the business owner will seem a lot more important than if the owner did all the chasing.

Another option is to bring humour in - my accountant when ringing for unpaid bills jokes that she’ll have to break your legs!

]]> Comment on Hobbies Don’t Make For Business Success by Airdrie Makim http://blog.womensnetwork.com.au/2008/09/28/hobbies-dont-make-for-business-success/#comment-126 Airdrie Makim Mon, 29 Sep 2008 11:58:00 +0000 http://blog.womensnetwork.com.au/2008/09/28/hobbies-dont-make-for-business-success/#comment-126 Hello Lynette, Thanks for some very valuable advice here. I have successfully turned a hobby into a business, but it is always in the area of financials that I could do with some assistance. I'm pleased you note that those who owe me $ should be the ones embarrassed, not me! I've been procratinating over chasing up a couple of outstanding payments for months now and you've just reminded me that they are things I must get on to - and <i>not feel bad about! Hello Lynette,
Thanks for some very valuable advice here. I have successfully turned a hobby into a business, but it is always in the area of financials that I could do with some assistance. I’m pleased you note that those who owe me $ should be the ones embarrassed, not me! I’ve been procratinating over chasing up a couple of outstanding payments for months now and you’ve just reminded me that they are things I must get on to - and not feel bad about!

]]> Comment on Lessons from the Lion Cage by Luca Ricciardiello http://blog.womensnetwork.com.au/2008/08/13/lessons-from-the-lion-cage/#comment-100 Luca Ricciardiello Tue, 16 Sep 2008 05:58:10 +0000 http://blog.womensnetwork.com.au/2008/08/13/lessons-from-the-lion-cage/#comment-100 I watched a great ABC documentary once where they tested the nature vs nurture debate. They dressed a male child in boy's clothes and placed him in a room with two strangers and watched the interaction from behind a one-way mirror. Both adults played with the child, grabbed all the boy toys like cars and trucks and were even physically rougher with the child. They then removed the male child, dressed him in frilly pink girl's clothes and placed the child back in the same room with the same adults. They then played with the child much gentler, picked up dolls, soft toys and story books and were very subdued. I certainly think nurture plays a very big part in who our kids become, but so does nature or all same sex twins or kids within the same family would be clones. I watched a great ABC documentary once where they tested the nature vs nurture debate. They dressed a male child in boy’s clothes and placed him in a room with two strangers and watched the interaction from behind a one-way mirror. Both adults played with the child, grabbed all the boy toys like cars and trucks and were even physically rougher with the child. They then removed the male child, dressed him in frilly pink girl’s clothes and placed the child back in the same room with the same adults. They then played with the child much gentler, picked up dolls, soft toys and story books and were very subdued. I certainly think nurture plays a very big part in who our kids become, but so does nature or all same sex twins or kids within the same family would be clones.

]]> Comment on Digital Magazines - Good idea or not? by Luca Ricciardiello http://blog.womensnetwork.com.au/2008/09/12/digital-magazines-good-idea-or-not/#comment-99 Luca Ricciardiello Tue, 16 Sep 2008 05:50:29 +0000 http://blog.womensnetwork.com.au/2008/09/12/digital-magazines-good-idea-or-not/#comment-99 As working women and business owners I think we spend more than enough time on our mobiles, PDAs and laptops so the last thing I personally want is to read a magazine online. Reading a real magazine indulges the senses and allows us to take some time out, relax and put our feet up and enjoy the visuals, promise and touch of a shiny new magazine. As working women and business owners I think we spend more than enough time on our mobiles, PDAs and laptops so the last thing I personally want is to read a magazine online. Reading a real magazine indulges the senses and allows us to take some time out, relax and put our feet up and enjoy the visuals, promise and touch of a shiny new magazine.

]]> Comment on Growing Your Online Business by Luca Ricciardiello http://blog.womensnetwork.com.au/2008/08/25/grow-your-business-from-your-desk/#comment-98 Luca Ricciardiello Tue, 16 Sep 2008 05:37:09 +0000 http://blog.womensnetwork.com.au/2008/08/25/grow-your-business-from-your-desk/#comment-98 Hi Ladies. Yes, I certainly think that an online presence is mandatory for businesses these days. it's like your business card or brochure was many years ago. It's a great place to have all your important information so you don't have to blurt it all out in one breath when meeting someone. Subconsciously, we already judge the professionalism and commitment of a business as to whether they have a website or not, and then the more expensive the product or service the more professional the site should be. However, in saying that, a website is nothing if no-one sees it and this is where old fashion networking, relationship building and referrals comes into to play, alongside website marketing strategies such as SEO and adwords etc.. Hi Ladies.
Yes, I certainly think that an online presence is mandatory for businesses these days. it’s like your business card or brochure was many years ago. It’s a great place to have all your important information so you don’t have to blurt it all out in one breath when meeting someone. Subconsciously, we already judge the professionalism and commitment of a business as to whether they have a website or not, and then the more expensive the product or service the more professional the site should be. However, in saying that, a website is nothing if no-one sees it and this is where old fashion networking, relationship building and referrals comes into to play, alongside website marketing strategies such as SEO and adwords etc..

]]> Comment on Digital Magazines - Good idea or not? by Karen Curran http://blog.womensnetwork.com.au/2008/09/12/digital-magazines-good-idea-or-not/#comment-97 Karen Curran Sun, 14 Sep 2008 02:07:32 +0000 http://blog.womensnetwork.com.au/2008/09/12/digital-magazines-good-idea-or-not/#comment-97 I believe there is a place for both. While I'm at the computer I am happy to read digital magazines where I can also search easily - but when I sit down for a cuppa in my own time with my feet up, I prefer a hard copy magazine or quality book. It depends on the time and place. Often magazines are read and kept for a while for reference, and then given to other people or find their way to medical waiting rooms and the like. The problem with some digital deliveries is that they require you to download yet another program and that gets very frustrating. PDf is my preference too where you can also click through to websites. So, there are benefits in both paper and digital formats. I believe there is a place for both. While I’m at the computer I am happy to read digital magazines where I can also search easily - but when I sit down for a cuppa in my own time with my feet up, I prefer a hard copy magazine or quality book. It depends on the time and place. Often magazines are read and kept for a while for reference, and then given to other people or find their way to medical waiting rooms and the like. The problem with some digital deliveries is that they require you to download yet another program and that gets very frustrating. PDf is my preference too where you can also click through to websites. So, there are benefits in both paper and digital formats.

]]>