On Tuesday, I had a fantastic opportunity and spoke at a networking event to over 30 businesses in Streatham.  Organised by the wonderful Mel Larsen who is from ‘The Next Level Streatham’ we all gathered for a tasty English breakfast before the workshops began.  

You can follow them on Twitter @TNLStreatham who tweeted ”A packed room @TheRailwaySW16 . Business owners learning ways of introducing their businesses in an efficient way.pic.twitter.com/r3zfy1R8Dw

The networking morning was held in a pub called The Railway, which is a fantastic venue with a vintage look and feel.  A great space if you need to hire it for an occasion or visit for lunch or of course, have a drink after work! I recommend a visit.

My aim for the morning was to introduce some of my sales strategies that they can immediately implement, to help them get more results, fast. Here’s one of them for you.

At first I started off asking the group to introduce themselves differently to make more of an impact.  And hopefully this will spark off a conversation.  Usually when out networking people ask, so what do you do? But loads of people then say their name and their job title!

You need to stand out from the crowd.

I could say I’m a business coach. But that doesn’t differentiate me from the other business coaches. So, when asked what do I do? I say I propel business owners to earn six figures and beyond, and importantly feel good along the way.  Much more interesting and helpful.  I usually then hear, wow I’d like some of that, or tell me more! Which is exactly the reaction you want to hear, isn’t it?

One of the chaps there, Alexander Vine usually introduced himself as saying he is a property search agent at Divine (more of a job title than how he helps people).  His new introduction is he ‘finds people their dream home’.  That makes more impact doesn’t it? Who wouldn’t want to find their dream home?! A divine introduction now Alexander!

Another lady there, Pauline Milligan previously introduced herself saying she’s a project manager and does PR.  But what project? how do you help people with PR? I advised her to pick a project to briefly talk about as she so many to choose from.  This is clearer for the other person to then understand how she helps people.  She also loved how I shared that it’s more useful and makes more impact to talk more about the benefits of her services and not  just the features.

How can you introduce yourself to make an impact when networking?  Make more of an impact and you’ll stand out from the crowd.

Just one of my sales secrets of success.  As I call it, doing sales, the anti-selling way!

Here’s a tweet from Philip Henwood “Excellent @TNLStreatham meeting this morning. Great presenters, attendees and really impressed with Railway pub #streathamgem ”

Happy networking!

Jo James xx

P.S. If you’d like me to speak at one of your events or know someone who might, then please get in touch. 07968 016 585 or ping me an email jojames@amberlife.com

“The story of women’s struggle for equality belongs to no single feminist nor to any one organization but to the collective efforts of all who care about human rights” Gloria Steinem.

“Happy International Women’s Day” Celebrate your greatness, your achievements and your life …

Remember, “it’s not a dress rehearsal, so live your life how you want to.”

This quote really resonated with me too, “the reason we struggle with insecurity is because we compare our behind the scenes with everyone else’s highlight reel.” How true is that?

Being a business coach, I couldn’t let International Women’s Day on March 8th pass without giving you eight great statistics about women in business I found on Prowess 2.0:

1. There are roughly 620,000 majority women owned businesses in the UK generating around £130 billion turnover.
2. If women started businesses at the same rate as men, we would have 150,000 extra start-ups each year.
3. Women starting up in business will tend to provide a more immediate contribution to the economy.
4. Women are more likely to be offered business loans and also more likely to turn them down!
5. Another female business owner is by far the most inspirational figure for women deciding to start a business.
6. Women are more likely than men to think that social, ethical and environmental considerations in business are important.
7. The most entrepreneurial age group for females is 28 – 55 but personally, I believe age is irrelevant. Just do it!
8. Women entrepreneurs are more likely to share their knowledge, wisdom and experience with their peers furthering the growth of female business owners in the UK.

How amazing is all that? Well done to you all; this is why we rock as business owners and entrepreneurs, isn’t it?

But if you’re feeling like you’re struggling, I’d like to invite you to decide that today is going to be the day you do something about it; today is the day you change or do something to help yourself. Yes you! I’m sure you help many others every day, so why not help yourself today?

You’ll be in great company on International Women’s Day. There are workshops and events all over the world helping to empower more women, so join us and ride on this energy today and you’ll start to feel better already.

As soon as you decide you are ready, set your intention and get on a new path. So, what’s important for you to change now? Embrace the changes as it’s your time to shine. Now, what’s your highlight reel? Go and celebrate you. Because you are amazing, oozing talents, skills and kindness. Remember to be kind to yourself!

If you’re a female entrepreneur or business owner and you feel you’d like a coach to help you, then I’d love to help you on your journey. I have a great Fast Track Your Business Program to boost your confidence and your sales into six-figures or a Mastermind Group if you like working with your peers.

My aim is to help you double or triple your income so call me on +44 (0) 208 336 0886 or click here to ping over an email and I’ll get right back to you.

Here’s to your success …

JO JAMES

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Alison from OnlineEducation.net kindly sent me this infographic

I believe you can achieve your goals, if you take one step at a time.  And they all add up nicely!

You can read more here http://amberlife.sblogit.com/resolutions-or-good-habits.

What’s your approach to setting goals?

Jo James xx

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I’d like to congratulate Ally Maughan, owner of People Puzzles who is the AmberLife Entrepreneur of the Year 2012. She absolutely rocked her 2012 goals. Woohoo

Ally came to me a year ago having ran her business for about 18 months but wanted some more inspiration and a model to grow her business, an HR Consultancy called People Puzzles.

We identified that Ally would need a new structure and implement business processes and the need to take on Consultants, recruit staff and grow her virtual team to bring in the revenue that she desired – multiple six figures.

We also agreed she would need an on-line and offline marketing strategy, a Business Development plan and the right goals to win more business on a regular basis so that she hit her targets and realised her dreams and full business potential. We did this in stages. Step by step. With feel good goals.

Ally completed the AmberLife 90 day program. Then having achieved so much progress she continued with my Monthly Mentoring Programme, enjoying the accountability and learning more from each session, going from strength to strength.

As Ally said, ”It has all become more do-able. I’ve been clear on what to do next, who to target and how to win new clients” She won six new clients in one month. Over the year we worked together, she tripled her business revenue

It’s been an honour to help Ally do all this, teach her how to recruit the right staff and successfully build her business.

If you’re looking to set goals yourself to grow your business this year, then have a look at this blog I’ve written with 7 questions to consider to help you set and achieve them.  

Not everybody likes goals but all successful businesses have them. They give us direction, purpose and when we set our intention, things happen. Inspiration flows.

Goals don’t work if they’re not backed up with a plan of action. But set your goals right and magic happens. It’s like having your own internal Sat Nav.

Goals do work when thought about and defined in a way that’s aligned with you and your business – feel good goals, NOT toxic goals. So you want to get up and get on with it! Here’s the link again to 7 steps to help you set your goals.

Please get in touch if you’d like more help with this, I’d love to help you grow your business and importantly, feel good along the way.

To your success and happiness, set your internal Sat Nav today!

Jo James xx

If you’d like to find out how I can help your business grow, please contact me today.

Email: jojames@amberlife.com     Tel: 07968 016 585

Being a successful entrepreneur takes your determination and your commitment to realise your ideas. Your passion will drive you to succeed and help you through the tough times, giving you the energy to keep moving forward.

Taking those all important steps, taking risks and acting on your dreams and goals will bring your ideas to life.  And quite often, we all need some help at some point along the way don’t we? What a journey this is!

To help start ups and small businesses grow, this week is Global Entrepreneurship Week.  GEW is about growing enterprise ambition and helping those with ideas know where they can get the support they need to make them a reality.

Here’s at least 7 ways you can get involved in GEW 2012: 

1. #GEW UK’s theme this year is ‘Pass It On’.  How can you help and pass on your Skills, Contacts, Confidence, Knowledge, Resources?

2. Follow them on Twitter @GEWUK Like them on Facebook 

3. To your tweets and posts add #GEWUK to be seen on Social Media platforms the world over. You can filter your Tweets to show the hashtag #GEWUK and listen to the conversation, and join in!

4. I’m hosting a free online mini workshop tomorrow. 

Passing on some of my simple-yet-effective tactics. Join in on Tuesday. Learn Over Lunch 4 words to grow your business.

5. Visit the GEW site and add your event too. Pass on your knowledge and skills and help more people

6. The British Library have many talks and workshops for you in their Business & IP Centre. Have a look at what’s on.

7. Post on my Facebook Page your events, any tips you want to share and I will pass on your expertise too.

If you have any other ways in mind, please share them and pass it on!

To your success and happiness, have a great #GEW, get involved!

Lotsalove,

Jo James

If you’d like to find out how I can help your business grow, please contact me today.

Email: jojames@amberlife.com     Tel: 07968 016 585

Do you want free top tips to boost your business?

Sign Up to Make Your Mondays Matter email. Join in!

Subscribers to my Amber family love them!