August has been an action packed month. I’ve been making the most of the Small Business Festival Victoria and what’s more commonly known as B31 in Ballarat. This year for the first time B31 has been run by Commerce Ballarat and they have delivered some sensational speakers to Ballarat. I love this month for the opportunities that are presented to hear from leaders in their respective industries and to network with like-minded business people. I’ve met and been inspired by new business owners and entrepreneurs and it’s been really exciting to get out and see what is happening right here in our own business backyard in Ballarat.
In this week’s blog I thought I’d share with you the key learnings that I’ve taken away from some of the events I’ve attended. I’m keen to share these secrets to success and advice from successful business entrepreneurs, as I think its advice that anyone can apply to not just their business but also their career and by writing these awesome tips down I’ll be able to refer back to them when I need to re-focus on my “why”.
Authenticity was a common theme throughout the month. From being an authentic leader to having an authentic why for doing what we do, through to having an authentic personal brand. It seems we are in an era of authenticity, where our customers, the people we engage with in business, want to see authenticity in what we do and how we do it and they want to engage with us for that authenticity. It’s not about being the cheapest in the market place, having the best technology or the biggest advertising budget to promote our business. People want to understand us and why we do what we do. They’ll then be the ones to decide if we are authentic.
Here’s what I took away from the sensational array of speakers I’ve been fortunate enough to hear speak this month:
Live what you Love. When passion and purpose change your life – Naomi Simson, Red Balloon
The title of Naomi’s presentation said it all. Naomi’s presentation oozed passion and purpose and I don’t think anyone walked away from that dinner without a dose of inspiration. Naomi shared a genuine and honest piece of her journey to success and it was refreshing to hear that even for the successful Red Balloon business “everything isn’t always perfect.” It was a timely reminder of why I do what I do; why I started Inspire HQ.
Our image is our biggest marketing tool. First Impressions count – Colette Werden
This is so true in business and in our careers, I talk to people about this in my career coaching sessions. Learning about the art of authentic self-packaging was an eye opening experience on how others judge and perceive you. Whether that judgement is right or wrong, fair or unfair it’s their opinion and you only get one chance to make a first impression. What impression are you making?
Authentic Personal Branding – An authentic self, what is it I stand for, what’s my phraseology – PR Warrior Trevor Young
Getting your head around the world of social media and how to leverage your business and personal brand through social media is a challenge for many and it’s one we grapple with daily at Inspire HQ. Trevor made it all seem so much simpler through breaking down and helping us understand that social media is about personal brand and what we put out through social media is a reflection of what you stand for.
There are many more pieces of advice I’ve gathered over the last month, however for fear of turning this blog into a novel, I’ll leave it there! A big thanks to all the hosts and sponsors that made these events possible, in talking to and networking with other attendees at these events I know for sure that I’m not the only one that has walked away with an injection of passion and inspiration.
