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Welcome to Harvest the e-newsletter of The-Grapevine __________________________________________________________ Hello All
Welcome to the second newsletter of 2009, during the last couple of months many Grapeviners have heard about or known someone who has suddenly found themselves out of work, as redundancies have increased. Redundancy can of course be very traumatic but, for some, it presents an opportunity to look at options, take stock of what they want out of work and perhaps, as a result, consider self employment. Some people in fact feel redundancy or the threat of redundancy has given them the impetus they needed to give it a go! Of course, running a business is not for everyone and, as always, it’s essential to weigh up the pros and cons, assess the market and particularly consider the current climate and whether your offering will be viable during the downturn; and on into the upturn – which will come! Economic troubles aside, self employment can seem scary at any time and, for many, the overriding fear is insecurity. It’s not for everyone but some people actually find that they feel more secure as a business owner, particularly if they have previously been made redundant, as they are the first to know about any potential problems; and can do something about it themselves - rather than hoping the boss will! Although it is not easy for many small businesses right now, there are some simple, practical steps business owners can take to help sustain themselves; and there are in fact some businesses out there who are proving to be more prosperous now than ever! So take a few minutes away from all this doom
and gloom and read this article on ‘Small Businesses Defying the Credit Crunch!’ Amid the doom and gloom, there are likely to be a number of sectors that experience surprising upturns during these tough times, whether it’s through consolidating an existing business, or setting up a business in line with the changing buying patterns of consumers. In fact, for all businesses, sometimes the best lessons are learnt through dealing with adversity!If you know an equally creative and forward thinking business, or a colleague or friend who supports the business spirit of giving and sharing, then please feel free to recommend The-Grapevine - there is no cost to subscribe. If you have received it from a colleague, and wish to subscribe yourself, please click the link.
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GRAPEVINE MEMBER-TO-MEMBER OFFERS/DISCOUNTS: __________________________________________________________ ROYAL COLLEGE OF GENERAL PRACTITIONERS SUPPORTS BUSINESS THROUGH THE CREDIT CRUNCH WITH LOW MEETING ROOM HIRE COSTS
The-Grapevine has brought the RCGP many new customers due to their prestigious but low cost city centre room hire. Queen Street can be your new central venue for meetings at a discounted rate of £21.25 per delegate all inclusive for a full day with lunch, minimum 6 delegates. They have 3 fabulous rooms available click here to learn more. GRAPEVINE DISCOUNT! FULLY LICENSED NLP PRACTITIONER TRAINING 21ST-27TH MARCH.
Do you want a career change? Are you interested in helping people? Ever wanted to have more fun? Then take control of your life with Brain Train Academy and their NLP Practitioner program! When people have a problem that they can’t fix, they learn NLP because it delivers – often with miraculous results.
NLP is the behavioral technology showcased by TV celebrities Derren Brown and Paul McKenna and Brain Train Academy is at the forefront of NLP Training in Scotland. For more information about NLP Training Click here
FED UP WITH THE DOOM AND GLOOM AROUND YOU?
Wanttobehappy.co.uk is the answer! Focus on staying upbeat and happy. Wanttobehappy.co.uk is a new virtual marketplace that concentrates on what's really important in life. What are you waiting for? Enough is enough! If you can't bear to hear all the negative economic news any more, be assured there's so much more to life than the credit crunch. Free advertising for Grapevine members until March. Click here.
OCEAN COPY – CLEAR FRESH WRITING
Ocean Copy specialise in freelance online copywriting for businesses of all sizes. From complete websites to blog posts and unique articles, your company will quickly see the benefits. They’ve written across many diverse market sectors for global brands and local SMEs. No job is too big or small from reviewing your existing content to writing an entire website from scratch. Your website text is
your online sales force so it pays to invest in a copywriter who knows the words that sell and the ones that don’t. If you want to improve your search engine rankings and convert more visitors into customers, then contact Ocean Copy now. Exclusive discounts are available for Grapeviners.
Click here.
FREE ADVERTISING FOR START-UPS!
As a previous start-up, I am keen to help other start-ups as they embark on what can be a precarious and frustrating journey. In a bid to help,The-Grapevine offers free advertising for start-up companies. In addition, I have pulled together a team of tried & tested suppliers who offer their services to start-up Grapeviners at preferential Grapevine rates. Click here.
SEE YOUR ADVERTISEMENT HERE
The Harvest e-newsletter is sent to over 9500 business folk every issue. advertise in the Harvest from just £50 per issue. Please e-mail me for details.
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GREAT VINE BUSINESSES: __________________________________________________________
STYLISH CITY CENTRE FURNISHED FLATS AVAILABLE FOR SHORT TERM LETS AND LONG
TERM RENTALSEdinburgh based Clouds Property Management have a good selection of stylish city centre flats all fully furnished and equipped which they rent out on a minimum four week basis; an ideal alternative to hotel rooms. When compared to hotels, there are of course cost savings to be made as all bills are included in the rental. Many companies now use Clouds short term accommodation solutions to bring their international staff to Edinburgh with a minimum of fuss and on a very cost-effective basis. Click here to read more.
WEBSITE MARKETING IN A RECESSION
The Credit Crunch and The Recession - two terms we’d not heard much until very recently. Suddenly, unemployment is rising, small businesses are going bankrupt, food prices are spiralling, banks are disappearing; everyone is tightening their belts. Unsurprisingly, small businesses are becoming nervous about spending money. As a small business you know only to well how quickly things can turn around. This is an obvious time to take a good look at your marketing strategy. What is it costing you, and what is it giving you? Click here to read more.
INTRODUCING SHIFTSHACKShiftShack.
ARE YOU THINKING OF A CAREER CHANGE? MOTIVATION TRAINING CAN EQUIP YOU TO BECOME A SUCCESSFUL NLP COACH & HYPNOTHERAPIST
At Motivation Training they deliver residential courses accredited by 4 leading organisations in Diploma Master Practitioner of NLP, Clinical Hypnotherapy, personal and business coaching using a unique approach that recognises and utilises other ground breaking modalities for positive change and growth. This course equips you to set up in Private Practice, enhance your existing skills, work in a corporate/business environment and use it for your own personal development. Click here to read the empowering things graduates have done since completing their training.
RAISE YOUR PROFILE ON THE-GRAPEVINE
The-Grapevine is offering members the opportunity to advertise on The-Grapevine website. Advertisingon the large banner places your company prominently at the top of the site, giving you prime advertising positioning and a click-through to your own website - all for only £175.00 per month. The-Grapevine site enjoys an increasing volume of traffic and this is a very cost effective way of promoting your business. There is also a limited amount of small banner adverts available with costs starting at only £50 per month. Your banner advertising is easy to arrange - to find out more and to book your place on the website, please click here or call 07797 896 442. Please note that website advertising is limited.
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VACANCIES ON THE VINE: __________________________________________________________
MEDIA RELATIONS MANAGER WANTED FOR EDINBURGH INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL
The Media Relations Manager is responsible for the Edinburgh International Festival’s media strategy and is the Festival’s primary contact for Scottish, UK and international media. You will be an experienced media professional, passionate and knowledgeable about the arts with a minimum of five years’ relevant experience or equivalent, at least two at senior level. Click here to read more.
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RECOMMENDED READING: __________________________________________________________
EVERYTHING I KNOW ABOUT BUSINESS I LEARNED AT McDONALD’S
What global restaurant corporation can boast that 3 out of 4 senior and mid-level managers started out as crew? What company has made more millionaires, especially minority ethnic millionaires, than any other company, and is voted, year after year, one of the best places to work? It’s McDonald’s, of course. Click here.
There are many books I feel will be of interest to other Grapeviners. Take a look at the GRAPE PUBLICATIONS section of The-Grapevine website to find out more. Click here.
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VINE VERNACULAR:
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Our members do the talking when it comes to proving that The-Grapevine is your number one choice for virtual networking: “Dear Jennie, I love the website. I do quite a bit of on-line networking and this is by far the nicest and most personal site I've found. Much more up my street than Linked In and Ecademy”. Shelagh Dillon, Life Coach. www.felicitaslifecoach.com
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PROPERTIES ON THE VINE: __________________________________________________________
LOVELY APARTMENT NOW AVAILABLE (NEW GOLDEN MILE) MARBELLA This modern luxury ground floor apartment overlooking the swimming pool and sub-tropical gardens is located on the New Golden Mile (Costa del Sol). It is an ideal holiday location for families and for golfers as there are more than 30 Golf Courses within 30 minutes drive of the apartment. Great rates for Grapeviners. Click here.
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GRAPE EXTRACTS:
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2009 DELL SMALL BUSINESS EXCELLENCE AWARD
Dell are launching a competition for SMEs, in conjunction with British Chambers of Commerce. It is open to all small-to-medium-sized businesses and rewards the most ‘innovative’ use of technology in developing a business – the top prize is £25,000 of Dell products and a meeting with Michael Dell. Last year, two of the 10 UK finalists were Scottish. Click here.
rural businesses honoured at scoTtish countryside alliance awards
Businesses from across Scotland have been honoured for their contribution to rural communities at a prestigious awards ceremony at the Scottish Parliament. Click here.
COLLEGE CASH BOOSTING SCOTTISH BUSINESSES
Colleges across Scotland are set to receive £7 million so they can help businesses overcome the economic downturn. The Scottish Funding Council will stump up £2 million before April and a further £5 million after that to enable colleges to offer training and skills courses in areas that suffer major redundancies. Click here
GRAPEVINE GIGGLES - 2009 CREDIT CRUNCH
For all those who can still laugh through adversity!!! I make no apologies; intend to offend no one in particular, just thought we could all do with a giggle! Click here_ _________________________________________________________
MEDIA REQUESTS:
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APPEAR ON A CH4 TV SHOW: MY DREAM HOTEL
Channel 4 is looking for people who are starting up their own hotel or guesthouse business to take part in a new prime-time series. Click here.
Other media requests also recently published on The-Grapevine website - take a look at the MEDIA REQUESTS section of the site.
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VINE DIARY DATES:
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FREE EVENT: WINNING THROUGH INNOVATION – 24 FEB (GLASGOW)
Winning Through Innovation is a series of events with a compelling programme of motivational speakers drawn from exemplar companies and leading management theorists as well as examples of Scottish success stories where innovation has made a difference to local companies. Open to all existing businesses in Scotland. Places are free and up to two delegates per company are welcome. Click here
THE EVERYWOMAN CONFERENCE SCOTLAND – 3 MARCH (GLASGOW)
Now in its second year, The everywoman Conference Scotland is the premier event for female business owners looking for ideas and inspiration to grow a business. Whether you own a business or are thinking about starting a new venture, this inspiring day is a perfect mix of masterclass workshops, panel discussions and networking with like-minded women business owners. Click here.
FREE EVENT: WIM SCOTLAND: HOW TO THRIVE, NOT JUST SURVIVE - 24 MARCH (DUNDEE)
When the economic climate is challenging, redundancy is everyday news, credit seems like a thing of the past and carbon footprints have become the concern of the board room as well as the environmental lobby, it’s easy to feel that just surviving is the best we can hope for. But it is possible to do more than just survive in turbulent times, and a growing body of research is beginning to show
us how. Click here.
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As always, your feedback is both welcome and encouraged!
Until next time
Jennie
(Chief Harvester) |
