The October talk at The Robin Hood Tavern Lenni Smith, The Salt Seller, told us of her experience as a business woman and her time spent negotiating banks and managers whilst importing containers filled with Himalayan salt from Pakistan – and and that her horse salt lick blocks are extremely popular. She also gave us generous samples of her wonderful table salt. [Read more...]
Networking – 5 Easy Steps
September 17, 2009 By Leave a Comment
When I first heard the term ‘Networking’ several years ago I hadn’t a clue what it meant. I didn’t want to reveal my ignorance so nodded sagely when people mentioned it and spent a long time trying to work out what on earth it actually is. I figured it had to be some form of business to business communication system. [Read more...]
So What Do You Give Away?
September 12, 2009 By Leave a Comment
We often worry that when we give away something “free” that we will be taken advantage of, that people will not appreciate our value or worth and expect low cost products, services, commodities. But the smart person knows that being clear about what is free, what you give away, is the way to grow your business. [Read more...]
We went to hear Tony Curtis last Monday
August 13, 2009 By Leave a Comment
Georgina Lester, MONEW’s Chair, and I had been to hear Tony Curtis at the Hay-on-Wye Book Festival.
“He has a big ego, hasn’t he?”
That response, twice given spontaneously by very different people, pulled me up to ponder that word ‘ego’. [Read more...]
Looking After Your Brand Image
August 10, 2009 By Leave a Comment
It used to be that “Brand Consciousness” was only ever applicable to the big guys with vast empirical businesses. Big enterprises will present cleverly created brand images which would get under the skin of the masses. Why should we as a small organisation or as individuals residing in our rural environs really care about “Brand Image”? [Read more...]
How to make your business more successful in two easy steps
July 16, 2009 By Leave a Comment
Tessa Perry’s professionally delivered presentation on market research and its benefits gave us the background to some reasons why market research is a vital cog in all businesses. Tessa illustrated the results of market research and how they are as invaluable to one man businesses, such as those run by many MONEW members, as they are to Sainsbury’s or Microsoft. [Read more...]
Self Coaching
June 18, 2009 By Leave a Comment
Can you coach yourself? Helen Atton of Agincourt Coaching took us though a self-coaching session at Thursday’s Talk in The Town (fondly known as TITT). Using a series of structured questions, we focused on a problem that was bothering us and helped to identify different solutions, what outcome we wanted to get to and who could help us. [Read more...]
Making Life Easier: How to choose and use a Virtual Assistant
May 21, 2009 By Leave a Comment
Joanne Sparkes was inspiring: her talk on being a Virtual Assistant opened my eyes to the variety and practicality of what she does – and does at a distance. She has clients living close by and several hundred miles away. [Read more...]
The trials, tribulations and joys of starting and running a charity
April 30, 2009 By Leave a Comment
The Abhina Foundation UK, a registered charity, was formed by MONEW member Sue Weston and her fellow trustees in response to the 2004 tsunami and the on-going civil war in Sri Lanka. Sue has worked in Sri Lanka regularly since 1993. [Read more...]
I love Zimbabwe
March 26, 2009 By Leave a Comment
I Love Zimbabwe is a co-operative company that encourages trading with Zimbabwe, feeding profits back into the country. The powerhouse behind this cooperative is MONEW member Martha Musonza Holman. [Read more...]