He will be de mystifying how to earn money from Facebook. Yes it is social, yes it is for friends, but you are able to help people and help yourself to new clients. He will be sharing his Step by Step guide through a live case study – guess who!

Friday June 29^th

10am to 12noon

at

Pishiobury House
Pishiobury Drive
Sawbridgeworth
Herts
CM21 0AF

Come for some great advice and enjoy meeting other great business owners in the tranquil setting of Pishiobury House in Sawbridgeworth, Hertfordshire.

In addition, Gill Tiney will show you how to move your business onto the next Step To Your Success using her unique method to get you motivated and moving in the right direction.

All this for only £15 + VAT. Email Gill now at gill@stepstosuccess.eu to reserve your place or book online.

Discover at least an extra hour a day, and see where all those ‘just 5 more minutes’ disappear to. My pet subject, I have managed to turn time management into an art form and I will spend 2 hours sharing my secrets, top tips and as usual my common sense solutions to getting more out of your day. More business, more leisure, and definitely more time!

Friday July 27^th

10am to 12noon

at

Pishiobury House
Pishiobury Drive
Sawbridgeworth
Herts
CM21 0AF

Come for some great advice and enjoy meeting other great business owners in the tranquil setting of Pishiobury House in Sawbridgeworth, Hertfordshire.

As always, I will also show you how to move your business onto the next Step To Your Success using my unique method to get you motivated and moving in the right direction.

All this for only £15+VAT. Email gill@stepstosuccess.eu now to reserve your place or book online.

• Are you terrified of Twitter? Do you lament LinkedIn? Does Facebook leave you frazzled?
• Are you making a comment and posting out to anyone who will listen and then worrying because when you read it back it doesn’t sound quite as good as it was in your head?
• Do you wonder what to say?
• Are you interesting enough?
• Will people follow you?
• Who should you accept as a friend and who is simply stalking you?
• Do you really have to get involved with social media?

If these questions and more have ever crossed your mind then you are not alone. Come along to The Business Forum and find out the why and how of social media. I’m not talking about what link to click, or how to automate the system,  I’m talking about what you should say! By saying the right thing you will help your business to grow, raise its profile and get known to a wider audience. But say the wrong thing and you could damage your reputation forever. What goes on the net STAYS on the net, FOREVER!

There is a certain etiquette to social media as with face to face networking and this month The Business Forum will be your finishing school to your debutant ball of social online networking.

You will leave the Business Forum feeling confident, in control and ready to release your Tweets to the world, to embrace your virtual Facebook friends and Love your LinkedIn profile. More importantly it will unleash your potential to grow your business with a whole new market place.

Friday 30^th March

10am -12noon

at

Pishiobury House
Pishiobury Drive
Sawbridgeworth
Hertfordshire
CM21 0AF

As always only 20 spaces available and bookings are already being taken. Don’t delay, book today by emailing gill@stepstosuccess.eu or book online now.

The Business Forum is a quick way to educate yourself on new innovations for your business. If you don’t educate yourself on your market you will be lagging behind the competition and the Business Forum is a simple and cost effective way to keep up to date. Every month there is a different topic such as social media or web site optimisation as well as re visiting classic topics such as time management and planning. Always on the last Friday of the month, it is easy to choose a topic that suits you and book up.

What are you likely to experience?

We have an amazing array of experts in their field and, with a guaranteed number of only 20 places, you know you will be getting quality time with these speakers who are only too happy to help you with your business questions. Please see the events page to see what topics we have covered in the past and what ones are coming up in the future.

Even if you have been to a meeting on, for example, ‘How to make Twitter effective’, there will be another one from another expert a few months later and you will find you can build on your knowledge by listening to a different voice, not to mention additional information as new innovations hit the headlines all the time. At the Business Forum we also share best practice and so in an atmosphere of support and mutual benefit we share what works for those in the room which means you can decide for yourself what strategies you might adopt as you have evidence from those around you of what actually works.

Apart from the business education, what else can you expect?

On top of this you will find the informal networking within a small group very effective, as you get an opportunity to introduce yourself to the room, with networking both before and after the meeting. Make sure you remember to bring your business literature too.

On top of the education and networking you will also be brought up to date on the latest business books and DVDs which are reviewed, as well as events in the local area that you might be interested in attending. We also consider how you are going to utilise the new found knowledge that you have acquired and build in some accountability into the session so we ensure you will walk away with a definite strategy for implementation.

If you only do one thing this month to progress your business then make it attending The Business Forum.

Book your place online now.

Did you have a tough upbringing? Did you struggle from poverty and felt you deserved a break? Or were you born with that silver spoon in your mouth and can’t understand why you are having to work so hard when in your youth it was so easy?

We all have a story to tell, but that shouldn’t throw a negative shadow over the life we have now. In other words, you cannot blame your past for lack of success in your present or future.

Growing up we didn’t have the luxuries that we often take for granted now. We didn’t have a bathroom (yes it really was a tin bath in front of the living room fire), there was an outside loo – brrr –  and no hot water on tap. Don’t get me wrong, I am not 70 years old, this was at a time when my peers had central heating, colour televisions and their very own telephone – things we could only dream about. However I wasn’t jealous of them. Envious yes, but definitely not jealous because my parents never made us feel that we were a family in need. I had a wonderful childhood and spent my time dreaming of how I could have enough money to go on holidays abroad – heaven.

That hasn’t clouded my judgement of those who have more than me, I just wanted to find out how to join them in their fabulous lifestyle. I don’t look at others and think why not me, I just think “Wow lucky them, how can I do that too?” Feeling sorry for yourself over things that you can do nothing to change is wasting precious time that could be utilised to help you grow and move forward.

For example I know a lady who feels her whole life has been clouded by the fact that her father died when she was a baby. She even attributes the failure of her marriage to the lack of a father figure in her life. Now I’m sure a psychologist would have a field day identifying why her life didn’t turn out the way she expected and for some people that exploration is necessary to move forward but what I am trying to highlight is that your past has no hold over your future. You decide what sort of person you want to be today.

This then translates into your business. What sort of business do you want to have? Have you decided what the cornerstone and foundations will be? Can your values be seen running through the core of your company? It is up to you to nurture this culture within your business and you have to be the epitome of what you expect your business to grow into.

In every good business you can see the passion of the owner shining through in every detail. Michael Gerber (The E Myth) tells us how to systemise our business but every example he uses is of people who are passionate about their business. The only reason they were failing was because of their lack of structure in the everyday running of the business. They had the passion but they had failed to relay that to their staff who were simply doing a job without any identity or understanding for the big picture of what the business owner wanted to achieve.

Whether you have staff or are aspiring to do so you need them to understand your philosophy for your business, where you are now and where you intend to be. Your plan for the future will depend on what you do today and the past is only there to learn from mistakes you may have made and successes that you can repeat.

If you are passionate about your business contact me on 0845 683 8820 to find out how to build it, write that plan and turn it into the company you always dreamed about.

Isn’t it strange how we define our lives. I need reading glasses so that makes me feel old. Yesterday is no different to today but because of that small change I now view myself as practically a decade older. Yet my body still functions and the change has made a positive impact on my life – I can now see to read the small print – but why did I feel it was a negative move?

I was falling into the stereotype trap. Other people have said to me, ‘oh no, I’ve got to wear glasses’ and it is generally seen as something to feel sad about, and a signal of advancing age. Granted, failing eyesight isn’t a cause for celebration, but the fact that we have a cure is.

And yet I still have pre conceived ideas of how people view me. If I wear glasses ‘she must be getting on a bit’. It is very difficult not to make assumptions on what people are thinking of you but we have to make sure that we don’t let those thoughts affect our actions. Why? Because 99% of the time we are wrong! We assume people are thinking of us and often casting unkind aspersions when in reality this isn’t the case at all.

So, how do we get over this? Well Eleanor Roosevelt famously said that ‘No one can make you feel inferior without your consent’ and you have to stop giving them consent. Even if they have voiced an opinion of you and you hear it directly, you are the only one who can make it affect your actions. If you hear of some detrimental comment but didn’t hear it from the horse’s mouth I would be inclined to ignore it because:

• A – It might not be true
• B – The person who said it must be worried about their position if they want to damage someone else’s
• C – The person relaying the information is probably an avid EastEnders fan, simply enjoys turning a drama into a crisis and is stirring the pot

By taking the moral high ground and not getting involved you are not lowering yourself to their standards, your professional attitude will shine through and others will see the situation for what it is.

So as a glib comparison I know that I will get the odd ‘here comes granny’ comment when I pull out my reading glasses but if I were to retaliate then I would be rising to the bait of those taunting me. If I smile politely but continue reading, others will see me as professional and competent and the matter will be forgotten almost instantly. Yes I feel old because I have to use them, but I certainly won’t let my paradigm become the one that others see. I continually try to portray the person I am aiming to be and as time goes on that is the person I am becoming. Think of the person you most admire and consider what they would do in difficult circumstances.

The same can be said of your business. If you continually work towards the business culture you want to create and build your credibility and integrity of who you are into the company then you will build success. If you are currently a neurotic, stressed, sleep deprived, crisis driven individual, then what business are you creating?

If you want help creating the business you deserve then give me a ring on 0845 836 8820 for an informal chat.

• What does your brand say about you?
• Does your business card shout professional or scream amateur?
• Did your latest leaflet get to the point or provide information overload?
• Is your website ‘we ing’ all over the place with visually jarring images or making you look like the consummate professional you are?

Come along to The Business Forum and meet Chris Gooch of Identity Creative who will solve all your image issues.

As an expert graphic designer he will share with you how to make an impact with all of your business literature.

Having designed for many businesses small and large he knows what brings in results and will help you to review your new leaflet or show you how to tweak an old one for maximum results.

Whether it is a revamp of a website or you just need to pull together a mish mash of current design he will show you what works and more importantly what doesn’t.

Friday February 24^th

10am to 12noon

at

Pishiobury House
Pishiobury Drive
Sawbridgeworth
Herts
CM21 0AF

Come for some great advice and enjoy meeting other great business owners in the tranquil setting of Pishiobury House in Sawbridgeworth, Herts.

Plus Gill Tiney will show you how to move your business onto the next Step To Your Success using her unique method to get you motivated and moving in the right direction.

All this for only £15+vat. Email Gill now at gill@stepstosuccess.eu to reserve your place or book online.

• Is LinkedIn generating business for you?
• Do you know the best way to use it to develop great connections?
• Are you working it to its full potential?

Or do you find it just swallows up your time, pulls you in to pointless discussion groups and connects you to people pretending they already know you?

You feel you should be using it but are not really sure if you are doing it properly or even if you totally understand the potential it offers.

If this feels familiar then come along to The Business Forum and Caroline Thomas our expert guest speaker will show you the STEPS TO SUCCESS.

Friday January 27^th

10am to 12noon

at

Pishiobury House
Pishiobury Drive
Sawbridgeworth
Herts
CM21 0AF

Make January the month you make working ‘on’ your business a priority. No more wasted effort, much more directed focus; no more frustration, much more calm productive output.

Come and start your journey to success at The Business Forum.

Contact Gill Tiney at gill@stepstosuccess.eu or book your place online, only £15+vat for 2 hours that will set you on the road to massive results.

Or let me know on Facebook, Twitter or even LinkedIn.

Can’t wait to meet you!

If there are any topics that you missed out on and would like us to repeat at future Business Forums, please let me know either by leaving a comment below or by contacting me via email.

November 2011
Developing your sales technique (Guest speaker: Leigh Ashton of The Sales Consultancy)

October 2011
Generating website traffic (Guest speaker: David Mears of Blue Flight Media)

September 2011
Internet marketing and social networking (Guest speaker: Terry Carney of Sales Remedy UK)

July 2011
Make your business a success (Gill Tiney)

June 2011
5 steps to transform your business (Gill Tiney)

April/May 2011
Networks, networks, everywhere (Gill Tiney)

March 2011
Communications skills (Gill Tiney)
Mindset Mastery (Guest speaker: Paul Wearmouth)

February 2011
Putting your company in print (Guest speaker: Lesley Morrissey)
How to communicate with clients, staff, suppliers, family and friends – and get what you want! (Gill Tiney)
Tips and insights into sales and marketing (Guest speaker: Paul Wearmouth)

January 2011
Review and 2011 Plan (Gill Tiney)

Looking back, it’s been an amazing year - I hope you join us in 2012!

However I, like most people, have my demons and air travel is one of them. Not a phobia as such but a definite dislike of flying. Add to this being away from family and being halfway around the world I am currently at the time of writing without question out of my comfort zone.

So why do it? Was the trip essential? No, not at all. Will it earn me a fortune? Not directly. Could I have avoided it? Probably.
What was the point?

The point for me is personal growth. I need to grow and push myself on a regular basis otherwise not only am I not making the most of who I can be but I’m also not developing my business to the best it can be. My aim for my company is not to earn £X per year but to earn enough so that I can give more back, to my family and favourite charities. I am not driven by money but rather what it can do for me. Plus I have an acute awareness of not having enough time to do everything that I want to do for those I love. Therefore I don’t have time to nurture a dislike into a phobia, or to avoid anything that makes me nervous. In fact when I do feel like backing out of something and making excuses I hear a good friend of mine telling me to ‘just get over it!’ In other words stop thinking about yourself and start thinking of others.

Yesterday a dear friend and colleague told me her husband has been diagnosed with a terminal illness. They are already getting on with their ‘bucket list’ – you know the list you write of things you want to do before you ‘kick the bucket’. I realised that many people die without ever writing theirs. I therefore have absolutely no right to be nervous about a flight that thousands of people take every day. I’m grateful for booking it, I’m so glad she persuaded me to go and I am determined to make every minute count.

If your business or indeed your life gives you an opportunity to come out of your comfort zone, to try something new, to develop and grow, don’t make excuses why you shouldn’t do it. Simply look for all the reasons why you should.

And Go For It!