News
NEWS
The Business Club – Making the most of Your Investment!
Networking is by far one of the most cost effective ways to market and promote your business, but are you making the most of The Business Club North London’s tools, services and support?
Here’s a reminder of what’s available to you:
- Full Contact Details, for every member via our online website.
- Contact Manager, our online CRM package to help you maximise and manage your existing and potential clients.
- Printed Newsletters, this printed newsletter is a tool designed for you to promote and educate your fellow members on your business successes, editorial is FREE and chargeable advertising banner opportunities available too.
- Business Events, twice a month we hold our growing business meetings at Hendon Hall where you can mix and chat with like minded people and educate the members further on your business and what you are looking for. It’s an ideal opportunity to meet new visitors too and collect business cards to increase your database.
- Special Events, on top of our meetings we also put on Special events which we feel will benefit you and your business in a positive manner.
- Top Quality Speakers, at every meeting you are exposed to a host of talented speakers providing motivational, educational and knowledgeable content on a variety of up to date business related topics, without a doubt fantastic value on its own!
On top of the above, don’t forget our member helpline, social functions, business expo, corporate membership and last but by no means least the professional, friendly and fun atmosphere of all Business Club North London events.
As a member it’s important to The Business Club North London Team that you are utilising the full benefits of the Club, should you have any questions or require assistance with any matter please do not hesitate to contact us on 0844 418 0144.
The Business Club North London – Networking tip.......
Set Your Networking Goals and Plan your Networking Activity on a Monthly or Quarterly Basis.....and know what you want to achieve from Networking!
How do you make yourself memorable to the people in the room?
How will you tell people what you are looking for.....be specific?
How will you tell people what they need to listen for or look for to refer your business?
How many new people do you want to meet and chat to?
How many business cards do you want to collect?
How many business cards do you want to hand out?
How many 1-2-1’s do you want to have?
How will I utilise Contact Manager to maximise and manage these leads?
Remember The Business Club North London is your club, you get out of it what you put into it, our team is there to assist you, so feedback and constructive comments are always welcome to help us help you!
Happy Networking!!
“For a new member red is the new black!
After my first business club meeting (speed networking) my head buzzed from all the opportunities and possibilities. I stayed up all night writing emails to everyone who I felt we, Solutions Force, could do business with and whose services we could use. Little did I know how it would go to my head!
One of the people I met Lynne Cantor, House of Colour, made a real impression. How you present yourself is an important part of what we do, helping clients grow by making them "investor-ready", so there is a potential good business fit.
I also felt her workshop would make a great mum and daughter day out and a way of experiencing her services first hand. The day was fun, informative and very useful. One surprising outcome is rather than the long dark locks club members are used to seeing me with, I am now a shade of flaming red/ginger. I can't wait for the next club meeting to see whether being in the right colour makes a difference to how members perceive me. With this new look I Know I'll make a lasting first impression! “
Paola Bradley
SolutionsForce Ltd
T +442089064209
M +447970298410
Created on: 14 July 2009
Moving? Some questions to ask about your
Voice & Data Comms
Whether you are moving premises or upgrading the current premises there are some
basics you will need to take on board.
Internal Connections –
Wireless or cable?
How many cables and where?
What standard of cable?
External Connections for data and voice -
Is the telephone number to be kept?
Phone options. Move the existing or upgrade.
What types are there.
Hosted - Off site option but tends to cost more in the longer term
On site systems? Why use a hybrid?
What about Voice over IP (Internet Protocol) Do we get free calls?
Use the same Internet provider? Are there better and more cost effective options?
If you need to know more Procom have been installing Voice & Data networks since 1986.
Give Tim a call and get some proper advice.
Tel: 01582 817000 Email: tch@procom-uk.com Web: www.procom-uk.com
Created on: 12 October 2009
When Your Image Is The Difference Between Success And Failure … How Can You Make Sure You’ve Got It Right?
• You need to understand SUMPTUARY law. Although not as highly prescribed and legislated as in medieval times this is the unwritten law that governs dress in this country. Break it at your peril!
Medieval sumptuary laws, which prescribe what different social groups should wear, are still in force. For example, an Act of 1463 says that velvet and satin can only be worn by men above the rank of knight and their wives. Although the last sumptuary law was passed in 1597, such legislation is rarely enforced.
Time traveller’s guide to Tudor England
• Even though you don’t have a formal uniform, use the principles of uniform to uphold your “rank” in life. i.e. high ranks are “decorated”
• Many of us have to wear business dress every day, it is easier for some than others. You need to dress for business while honouring “who” you are on the inside
• If you imagine every garment you wear is a word, when you put an outfit together, you are saying a sentence about yourself. Get someone to photograph you, then ask yourself about the person in the photograph
- Where are they going?
- What do they earn?
- What do they do?
- How important/valuable is this person?
- Will your answers bring the success you seek?
For more information on presenting your best image for the work that you do contact:
Lynne Cantor
House of Colour
www.houseofcolour.co.uk/lynnecantor
Lynne.cantor@houseofcolour.co.uk
Tel: 07841 285011
Created on: 12 October 2009
Planning for the 50% rate
Income Acceleration into 2009/10
Currently the top rate of income tax is 40%, but this will increase to 50% from 6 April 2010. An opportunity presents itself to extract taxable income or to accelerate taxable income into the current 2009/10 tax year and pay tax at 40% this year rather than 50% next year or say the year after. There is a time value cost in paying the tax early but this must be weighed against the 10% saving in the tax rate. The acceleration could be investment income (such as dividends), salary or both. In the case of salary income, the acceleration will also save on any future increases in National Insurance Contributions.
For specific advice regarding your personal circumstances and for more information please contact:
Chris Jackson, Principal, MacIntyre Hudson LLP
T: 020 8446 0922 E: Chris.Jackson@mhllp.co.uk W: www.macintyrehudson.co.uk
Created on: 12 October 2009
“Back from holiday and you have no work in?”
“I’d better do an Ad then “ Wrong answer.
“Ok, I’ll send out an email campaign?” Wrong answer again.
“Perhaps I should try a direct mail shot?” No.
This is called “Ad hoc” marketing and it doesn’t work.
We take the marketing of company’s products or services seriously and recommend the preparation of a good strategic marketing campaign, ideally for the year.
“I can do that!”
Sure you can have a go, but with over 25 years experience in the business; working for a variety of companies from telecoms, to fashion, to sport, to security we know what will work, and when to do it.
My advise to companies is, get professional marketing help from companies that have a good track record, have been recommended and come up with creative solutions to achieve your objectives for the year, not just the day.
A good start would be to look no further than Berkoff Design and Communications.
Contact David Berkoff
Tel: 020 8275 3303.
Email: db@berkoffdesign.co.uk
www.berkoffdesign.co.uk
Created on: 12 October 2009
Top 5 tips for companies when answering their telephone
Here are some tips about how to answer your phone to project a professional image:
1) Answer all incoming phone calls before the third ring. Try to never let the call go to voicemail as callers hardly ever leave a message and that could be new business.
2) When you answer the phone, be warm and enthusiastic. Your voice at the end of the telephone line is sometimes the only impression of your company a caller will get.
3) When answering the phone, welcome callers courteously and identify your organisation. Say, for instance, "Good morning. Kendlebell, Susan speaking. How may I help you?" No one should ever have to ask if they've reached the correct number and organisation.
4) If you sound happy on the phone then your caller will feel more comfortable giving you business. Lets face it no one likes a dull tone on the phone. It makes your caller feel less confident about your organisation.
5) If you are too busy and out of your office then why not use a telephone answering and messaging company like Kendlebell Luton to take your calls in your organisations name.
Just following these simple tips will improve your company image. For further details on our service please visit our website http://www.kbluton.co.uk/ or call 0800 0776131.
Created on: 12 October 2009
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