Our half day workshops will get rid of those butterflies and make sure that everyone can concentrate on enjoying the day rather than spending all their time worrying about the speeches.

The workshop will run from 11am to 3pm and costs just £99 to include lunch and refreshments.

Thanks for a great meeting this morning. I feel much clearer in my head and more courageous in my heart. Hope my hands will follow with action!!   Ingrid Knowles, January 2012

With media sceptics predicting another financial dip and news reports reinforcing that message I started to ponder what it might take to ‘turn things around’? What could be done to set the economic wheels in motion once again? Who really could make a difference to the current situation?

Now, don’t get me wrong, I am no financial wizard with a magic wand and some fairy dust, nor have I been living in a bubble for the last 3 years, but I do spend a lot of time listening to the concerns and challenges experienced by small businessses and I have arrived at the following conclusion…

Only smarties have the answer.

In my view, if we are to drag ourselves out of the recession any time soon, we need to take it upon ourselves to oil the wheels of industry from the smallest cog upwards.

Whilst huge multinationals are feeling the pinch and cutting staff, micro businesses are on the increase with self employed numbers reaching the highest level since the 1930′s and equating to 14% of all employment in the UK.

So, as the number of  micro businesses increases, so the power that small business can generate grows.

With this in mind, imagine what small businesses could achieve as a critical mass if we moved forward together. What type of wave might we generate if we all dipped a toe in the water at the same time? What difference could we make if we all pulled together?

What I am proposing for the smarties amongst us is really very simple.

We all know the phrase, ‘what goes around, comes around’ well why don’t we see if we can adopt that method for our businesses? How about, next time you need a product or service you look at placing the order with the smallest of  businesses (based on recommendation, of course)?

What if, next time you need a product or service you inject your spend into the small business community and wait for it to ‘come around’ again?

What if, we all ‘shared the love’, and spread the wealth?

Those of you who know anything about me will know that I am an avid networker. Why do I believe so strongly in networking? Why do I spend so many early morning clearing frost off my car? Is it because I’m mad? No, quite simply it is because it allows me to do precisely this with relative ease, considerable confidence and great results.

Don’t take my word for it. Take control of your own destiny. Get out, meet small businesses, develop relationships, build trust and get those wheels oiled. Be a smartie!

If you would like to receive my top tips on how to get the most out of your business networking contact Heather on 07843 006984 or email info@salt-solutions.co.uk to request a copy.

If you want to get the most out of your life and your interactions with other people, this local group provides support, instruction and coaching on how to improve your confidence and your public speaking skills.

Regular attendees say that they have developed their interpersonal skills and built their confidence, generally, as well as mastering their speaking skills.

Throughout the year we have occasional guest speakers who share their experiences and/or hints and tips with us and this coming year will have sessions on how to handle nerves, project your voice, ‘make ‘em laugh’ and how to use microphones.

Attendees will also have the chance to practice writing and delivering speeches as well as giving feedback to others on their performance which, in itself, helps to develop tact, diplomacy and the art of conveying opinion in a sensitive and constructive way.

Oswestry Speakers Corner meet every other Monday at The Walls in Oswestry http://www.the-walls.co.uk/.

We all have busy lives so you are not ‘committed’ to attending EVERY meeting although, obviously, the more you take part, the faster you learn.

Meetings run from 7.30pm to 9.30pm and visitors are welcome to attend two meetings without charge to find out more about what we do. Normal fees are £5 per meeting.

Meeting dates for 2012 are;

16th January
30th January
13th February
27th February
12th March
26th March
23rd April
21st May
18th June
2nd July
16th July
30th July
13th August
27th August
10th September
24th September
8th October
22nd October
5th November
19th November
3rd December
17th December

Contact Heather on 07843 006984 for an informal chat and to find out more.

Give us a try… we have lots of fun and we don’t bite!

So,  how do you go about taking the idea of word of mouth recommendations to the next level? For instance, how do you get better at gathering testimonials from satisfied customers? Once you’ve done that, where should you use the data to best effect?

This is where you can get really creative in your approach to marketing.

The following steps provide a framework to capture, interpret and use your clients comments to attract more business.

Step 1 - Collect The Data

The first step is to devise an easy to use system where you ask every customer for feedback on the level of service or quality of products they have received from you.  This can be a simple email questionnaire with a few open questions encouraging the customer to not only give their impression on the level of satisfaction but also to find out why they are happy (or otherwise).

The way you phrase these questions will extract some really useful information. Using a mix of closed questions (eg a straight yes or no) and a few where you ask for a score out of five to be awarded in a given area can generate interesting and powerful statistics with which to promote key elements of your business. In addition you want some open questions to extract what you customer really feels about the service you provided for them.

Step 2 - Understand The Data

Once you have gathered this information you need to understand what it is telling you.

Knowing how to ‘cut’ the data can have a massive impact on you use it. The options are almost endless. For example, it may be that you rate higher on a specific product or service with a particular type of customer. You might score particularly well for customer service. Some customers might be blown away by your excellent value for money and, hopefully, a significant proportion of your customers are prepared to recommend you to a friend.

Facts like this can be employed for targeted marketing and the more you understand the data, the better you can make it work for you and your business.

Step 3 - Use The Data 

You know you should use client testimonials on your promotional materials, but do you?

Using quotes in your 60 second pitch will give fellow networkers the confidence to recommend you to others.

You know you should highlight what you do best to potential customers, but do you?

Using statistics on promotional material will give warm leads reassurance on the way in the qualirfind out more about the services and products you provide

You know you should provide examples of the benefits you can bring, but do you?

Highlighting the difference your products and services have made to a customer will enable others to imagine how they might feel if they adopt you as a supplier or service provider. People buy benefits, so make sure you highlight what they are.

These are just a few ideas that will help to reinforce your position in the market, highlight your services and strengthen your brand.

If your business needs help with any of the above please contact Heather on 07843 006984 for a no obligation discussion on how Salt Solutions can help.

NB Don’t forget to seek permission from your customer before you use any testimonial for promotional purposes.

From time to time we all have to stand up in front of a group of people to speak. Whether at an informal thank you to family and friends or a more official speech for business, it is entirely natural to be nervous and apprehensive.

Believe it or not, nerves are good for us. They keep us ‘on our toes’ and prevent us from becoming complacent. Even the most experienced speaker feels some anxiety before performing in public. If they don’t they probably won’t be a terribly interesting speaker.

The following tips are based upon lessons I have learned (and mistakes I have made) during my public speaking experiences and from observing many different presentation styles.

Let’s assume you know your audience and what is expected of you, let’s assume you know (at least in part) what you want to say and let’s assume you are feeling just a tad nervous…

Try to adopt some of the following performance tips when you stand up in front of a room full of expectant faces. They might just help

• 1.       Don’t Speak, Talk

Be yourself, don’t try to be as good as or as funny as another speaker. This will distract you. Simply focus on being true to yourself. Speak naturally, don’t try to lose your accent if you have one. Forget your ‘telephone voice’, save that for when you are speaking on the telephone…oh, and remember to breathe.

• 2.       Dress Code

There is an unwritten rule, when invited to speak to a group, you should aim to be at least as smart as the smartest person in the room. Speaking to a room full of young students in jeans might not require you to wear a business suit but, speaking at business conference probably would. Feeling comfortable in this way will enhance your performance and enable you to ‘own the room’.

• 3.       Don’t Tell Jokes

Jokes aren’t funny. Really, they aren’t. If you use them you run the risk of alienating certain members of your audience who may not share your sense of humour. That’s not to say that humour doesn’t play a part in any presentation, in fact, it is key. Use anecdotes or the occasional witty aside to punctuate and provide breaks in your delivery.

• 4.       It’s Theatre Dahling…

No matter what the occasion, we can always use a little theatre. Believe it or not, even when reading at a funeral it is called for. Theatre does not mean to ‘razzmatazz’, far from it. Theatre, in public speaking relates to voice projection, eye contact and the pitch of your voice. Whatever the occasion, decide on a ‘character’ to keep in mind and use that persona to work the room. Eyes and teeth, eyes and teeth.

• 5.       Listening Styles

And finally, remember that each member of your audience will have their own preferred listening style. Whether they are VISUAL (absorb information by what they see), AUDITORY (absorb information from what they hear) or KINESTHETIC (absorb information by what they do), they will all be absorbing what you are say in the following proportions; 7% of what you say (words). 38% of how you say it (pitch, pace, tone) and 55% through your body language (eye contact, gestures, stage presence). Bear that in  mind and focus on performance. Cliched though it may sound, it is rarely what you say but more the way that you say it. That’s what gets results.

To find out more about public speaking coaching and presentation skills training, please contact Heather Noble on 07843 006984.

If you need more time and energy to focus on GROWING your business and taking it to the next level then this half day seminar is for you.

Following the simple methods and messages that Wally (don’t be put off by the name) implemented in his, once small, business, you too can transform the size, efficiency and profitability of your business without having to compromise on your personal values and standards.

In one morning you will learn 44 ways to turn great ideas into actions. You will leave the seminar with practical and relative ideas that transfer directly onto YOUR BUSINESS, not just some hypothetical tasks that you will never implement because they don’t apply to your business.

For just £49 (bring 2 other colleagues and pay just £99), you can consolidate your plans, unearth some great new ideas and build an ACTION plan that quite simply, will WORK. In  addtion you will qualify for a FREE  1hr consultation with a business specialist so this really is excellent value for money.

Contact Heather for more details on how to reserve your space for either Telford (17th November) or Shrewsbury (24th November) session.

Part of the work I do is to help businesses find new routes to market by getting into the nuts and bolts of what services and/or products they offer.

One of the areas we focus on is who they offer their services to and what makes their products/services better than their competitors? This in depth analysis usually unearths some surprising ideas which can then be fairly easily implemented with great results.

One easy exercise I encourage people to do is to focus on the most valuable tool they hold in the palm of their hand, historical data,  and then show them how this can help to increase their market share.

You may find the following helpful in unearthing ways to grow your business.

Take a look at past clients and the types of work you have done for them. Carry out a simple analysis on the following;

• 1. What type of business/person are they? – Categorise these clients into 4 or 5 simple groups that can be easily targeted.
• 2. What service/products did you provide for them? – Understand what service/product was attractive to which client/business.
• 3. Where else might you find similar businesses/end users/customers? – Locate these groups and market your services to them.
• 4. What did these clients like most about the service/product you provided? – If you don’t know, ask them and include their comments in your marketing literature/speak.
• 5. What other groups might be attracted to the same things? – Focus on unearthing where these ‘other groups’ might be and market to them.

Hopefully the above will give you some food for thought. If you need more help with planning your marketing strategy or seeking out business opportunities, we can help.

Call Heather on 07843 006984 for an informal chat about what we can offer.

What is Jelly?

Jelly is a casual monthly co-working event, where homeworkers, freelancers, small business owners and office based people, who want a change of environment once in a while can get together with their laptops once a month to have a change from their usual working environment. Jelly is a mixture of work, chat, sharing ideas, helping others with business issues, passing on tips and even collaborating on the birth of a new project.

Jelly is NOT networking.

The aim is not to meet clients, pitch your business or try to sell – anyone blatantly doing this will NOT be popular – there are plenty of excellent Shropshire networking groups where you can do this. Jelly was started in the USA and is now increasingly popular in the UK with over 20 active groups already operating.

IT’S GREAT TO THINK THAT OSWESTRY IS ONE OF SEVERAL SHROPSHIRE TOWNS LEADING THE WAY IN THIS INNOVATIVE IDEA.

So if you ever feel isolated in your home office/work office and want to meet some other like-minded people in a different work environment, then JELLY is for you. It’s free so jump on in and give it a try!

What is the cost to attend?

Whilst It is FREE to attend, there is a £10 working lunch available which we encourage all attendees to purchase to show our appreciation for the free venue space and wifi. Apart from this all you need do is bring money for tea and coffee. Do I have to stay all day? No, we don’t barricade doors. It’s up to you when you come and when you leave – obviously the more that stay for the duration, the more vibrant and interactive it will be.

Do I qualify to attend?

As long as you have a laptop or craft to keep you busy and you’re a business person, consider yourself eligible. The more variety of people we have attending, the better! Even if you’re still researching your business you are more than welcome to come along and get some inspiration.

Who is organising it?

Heather Noble of Salt Solutions – I provide marketing, pr, event and presentation solutions to help small to medium sized businesses connect with their target audiences and improve their ‘image’. My passion is to provide creative solutions to make you look good!

Any questions?

Follow @saltsolutionsuk or @shropshirejelly on Twitter or email heather@salt-solutions.co.uk with any questions you may have. Alternatively contact @janminihane (the Jelly Queen who first brought Jelly to Shropshire) on Twitter or visit http://workatjelly.com/shropshire

Still Interested?

Then click on this ticket link http://www.eventbrite.com/event/2173599294. You MUST sign up to secure your place as numbers are limited. If you do not get a place this time, your name will go onto a shortlist and you will be contacted to replace anyone who drops out due to other commitments.

If you get a ticket but are then unable to attend PLEASE, PLEASE do let us know so that we can reallocate your place.

If you are at a loss as to what to do this weekend, why not check out this charity ramble through the amazing Shropshire countryside?

All walks start from Trefonen Village Hall and there are a range of options available. So whether you fancy a 7 mile or 14 mile ramble with optional mini bus return after 7 miles, there’s something for all abilities. There are also guided walks available from 9am.

For just £10 on the day, including maps, drinks and cake en route,  you can have a fantastic day in the great outdoors whilst raising money for the Shropshire Wildlife Trust.

Check out further details at www.shropshirewildlifetrust.org.uk.