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Hello All Welcome to the third newsletter of 2009, we live in interesting and challenging times, and it is clear that businesses will have to be at the top of their game if they are to succeed in an increasingly competitive marketplace. However, with the correct help, support and planning, there is no reason why businesses cannot continue to grow and prosper in the months ahead. Times of economic turmoil require businesses to adapt quickly. Sometimes that requires radical, even painful action. Any business that does not adjust itself to the changes in the market will see a drop in sales, and maybe even the end of their business. Cutting costs, accepting low profitability and focusing on retention of customers and staff are short-term fixes for survival and the key objective in a downturn is survival, not prosperity. But looking beyond this, businesses may need to consider more radical changes such as business restructuring, forging deep partnerships or even merging with another company. Downturns also create an opening to drive fundamental change to position a firm for long-term success. We need to consider a plan based on the real world situation rather than our optimistic aspirations. As Charles Darwin wrote, it is not the strongest nor the most intelligent that survives, but the most adaptable to change. During a downturn, many focus on the negative - falling demand, tight credit and layoffs. A fixation on bad news obscures a vital truth: The worst of times for the economy as a whole can be the best of times for individual firms to create value. Firms including Nokia, Samsung, Toyota, and Cisco have emerged from past downturns stronger than they entered them. As competitors retrench, they create opportunities that agile companies can seize. Downturns also create an opening to drive fundamental change to position a firm for long-term success. Leading in turbulent times requires optimism but it is vital to position your business not just to survive but to take advantage of the recovery. We have two new Grapevine columnists this month, the first Sylvia Tillmann, founder of the virtual happiness marketplace www.wanttobehappy.co.uk, wants to spread encouragement and positivity amongst fellow Grapeviners. Her first article illustrates recession, happiness and business role models
– read it: be inspired and energised. Our second Columnist, Piercarla Garusi is a Life Coach, NLP Master Practitioner and Hypnotic Practitioner. She is committed to help people re-connect with who they truly are. She is currently preparing several workshops to help deal with the recession. She states “We are not given a manual at birth on how things really work in the Universe and how to make our life works. But once we know
the Laws of the Universe and we align ourselves and our business to them, then ease and flow happen”. Change is from within: as within, so without, as you can read in her first Grapevine article is entitled 'Your Might Mind: Can it help with Recession?' 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: _____________________________________________________________________ GET YOUR WEBSITE INTO SHAPE
Small companies should use March as an opportunity to spring clean their website and ensure it is working as efficiently as possible. With traditional businesses suffering the worst of the recession, this is a great time for agile online businesses, particularly those who can swiftly adapt and add value to their clients. Ensuring your website is updated regularly and contains keywords that will attract visitors should be key parts of your web strategy. Having an efficient website is no longer a nice to have, it's essential. But it needn't break the bank. Click here to learn more about Grapevine member discounts with Dialogue. BRASS TACKS GUIDE TO SALES 2009
Grapeviner and Business Development Specialist Ken Naismith has produced this particularly helpful publication. He's very happy to share it with Grapeviners. Click here to read more. GREAT 4 STAR HOTEL RATES FOR GRAPEVINERS:
Abode Hotel, Glasgow, from £40.50 pp b&b per night, Holiday Inn, Belfast, from £37.50 pp b&b per night, Holiday Inn, Harrogate, from £34.50 pp b&b per night, Thistle Hotel, Cheltenham, from £29.50 pp b&b per night. These and many more available at great Grapevine rates. 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-upcompanies. In addition, I have pulled together a team of tried & tested suppliers who offer theirservices to start-up Grapeviners at preferential Grapevine rates. Click here.
SEE YOUR ADVERTISEMENT HERE
The Harvest e-newsletter is sent to over 8000 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: _____________________________________________________________________
CENTRUM BUSINESS CENTRE, QUEEN STREET, GLASGOW
Centrum are delighted to offer boardroom and meeting room hire at preferential rates to ‘Grapevine’ members. Rooms can be hired from as little as £10/hr. They have a range of meeting rooms from small interview rooms to a 20 seat boardroom. They offer free Wi-Fi Internet access with all meeting rooms. Catering and a full range of audio visual aids can also be provided. Please mention The-Grapevine when you book. Click here for full details.
DO YOU WISH TO REACH 10,000 AB1 LOCAL INDIVIDUALS?
The-Grapevine in conjunction with The Edinburgh Schools Advertiser can help you do just that and at great rates too. The Edinburgh Schools Advertiser goes out to the families of children at Edinburgh's independent schools. In advertising terms, that represents a target audience of 10,000 AB1 readers, in fact, it is probably the most sought-after advertising market in the city, if not in Scotland. Click here. RECYCLE SOME MONEY!!
Why throw away your unwanted goods!! What is the point in sending your unwanted items to the landfill dump when you could actually put some money in your pocket for doing nothing!! Your junk may be someone else’s treasure!! Graham Dryburgh Auctions work on a no sale-no fee basis, so what
have you got to lose?? Click here.
RAISE YOUR PROFILE ON THE-GRAPEVINE
The-Grapevine is offering members the opportunity to advertise on The-Grapevine website. Advertising on 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: _____________________________________________________________________
MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER - NATIONAL YOUTH CHOIR OF SCOTLAND NYCoS is looking to appoint a full time Marketing and Communications Manager. This is an exciting and varied role, suitable for an out-going, self-motivated individual. Deadline for applications- April 2009. Click here.
ARE YOU LOOKING TO TAKE YOUR FUNDRAISING CAREER TO THE NEXT LEVEL?
CHICKS helps children from a variety of different backgrounds, just a few example are children growing up in poverty, children of prisoners, and children who have been abused, either physically emotionally or sexually. It also provides breaks for young carers. You should have experience of working in a
fundraising office. You will also need to be a self-starter who can work independently but also as a key member of the fundraising team. This could be your chance whilst making a significant difference to the charity’s fundraising activities in Scotland. Click here.
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RECOMMENDED READING: _____________________________________________________________________
LEADERSHIP IN THE ERA OF ECONOMIC UNCERTAINTY
The new rules for getting the right things done in difficult times. There is no better person than Ram Charan to provide advice on managing in a downturn. Whether you lead a company, business unit, or small group of people, this book will be an invaluable tool for navigating today’s troubled economic waters. 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, If you hadn’t put the event in The-Grapevine I wouldn’t have known about the Scottish Enterprise event at Norton House, with René Carayol etc. It was an inspirational evening with superb guests. Rene was so motivating, and of the two other guests I preferred Brad Rosser who told it how it is and told us all to go out and invest! All the people I have spoken to who attended the event thought it excellent, so once again, thanks! Plus, thanks from all the people to whom I forwarded the details and who attended – we all admit to leaving pumped up and ready for anything the crunch can throw at us. Kind regards”. Deborah Hackett. E:
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PROPERTIES ON THE VINE: _____________________________________________________________________
STYLISH VILLA IN LANZAROTE AVAILABLE FOR HOLIDAY RENTALS
This large detached villa is a stylish home-from-home located in the residential area of Los Mohones, Puerto Del Carmen, with every thing you could want waiting for you. Being a single storey villa with a private heated pool and private parking it is ideal for families. There is plenty of space for the children to play, the pool is gently sloping and surrounded by a secure walled garden which is not overlooked.
Click here for discounted rental rates.
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GRAPE EXTRACTS:
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GRAPEVINE GIGGLES - COLD CALLING
With the sudden return to the wintery weather, this week's Cartoon will appeal. Click here to see this week's Cartoon from Grapeviner, Jim Barker. ENTERPRISING BRITAIN Enterprising Britain is a nationwide competition to find the most enterprising place in the UK – a location where enterprise is creating jobs and transforming communities – both of which are vital during these uncertain economic times. Click here
RUNNING A BUSINESS JUST GOT CHEAPER
Fuel prices have plummeted. The cost of raw materials has dropped. Entrepreneurs and their FDs are cheering the fact that the cost of running a small business in the UK has fallen by 2.9 per cent.
Click here
DO YOU WANT TO BE THE START UP STAR OF 2009
What is it all about? Launched on 4th March 2009, the ninth annual HSBC Start-Up Stars awards is open to start-up businesses all over the UK. It’s a way of supporting and celebrating the initiative and dedication of today’s entrepreneurs. There are benefits for every entrant and winners will receive a share of the prize fund, free Google advertising and invaluable publicity. Click here.
TIME NEARLY UP FOR TOURIST FIRM FUND
Tourism businesses in Scotland only have a few more weeks to apply for the first round of assistance from a new scheme offering match funding and consultancy support. The scheme can offer match funding worth up to £30,000 along with five days one-on-one consultancy to help tourism firms provide new and innovative services. Click here. _____________________________________________________________________
MEDIA REQUESTS:
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DO YOU DREAM OF RUNNING YOUR OWN RESTAURANT?
Raymond Blanc is once again on the lookout for a couple to join him in opening and running a restaurant. Couples will be chosen to compete for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the third series of BBC2’s The Restaurant. If you are a talented cook or host this is your chance. Click here. Other media requests also recently published on The-Grapevine website - take a look at the MEDIA REQUESTS section of the site. _____________________________________________________________________ VINE DIARY DATES:
_____________________________________________________________________ NEW START SCOTLAND - 27-28 MARCH (GLASGOW)This month’s free New Start Scotland Exhibition is packed full of invaluable show features designed to guide your business through the recession. Two days of seminars, workshops, competitions, planning kiosks, networking areas, online demonstrations, business clinics and much much more. Click here
Networking Lunch – 3 april (glasgow)The Erskine Networking Event is aimed at local professionals and business people who want to grow their business with the added benefit of supporting Erskine, one of Scotland’s best-known charities. With over 50 places available the Erskine Networking Event is a great way to meet new business contacts in a lovely venue at an affordable price. Click here.
FREE NETWORKING EVENT – 21 APRIL (EDINBURGH)
Atlanta organise 80+ focused business events around a boardroom table each year - in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Newcastle and London. They're very relaxed and informal but also very effective. Click here for your chance to attend and try an event for free.
ENTREPRENEURS’ SUMMIT - 13 MAY (LONDON)
This year may well be the toughest time ever for UK business. Finance is tight. Consumer confidence is low. Many companies are fighting for survival. Yet in an economic storm, great entrepreneurs don’t just retrench - they also start reinventing themselves. This year’s Summit entitled ‘Don’t Just Survive, Reinvent’ is more important than ever. There’s a great line up for this year includes: Edward Wray (Betfair), Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou, (EasyJet), Mark Dixon, (Regus) Brent Hoberman (lastminute.com). Click here to read more.
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Please remember that The-Grapevine is a private database, and will NEVER be sold or rented to anyone. If any of your contacts would like to be added to The-Grapevine, then please drop me a quick e-mail. They won't be alone - now over 8000 Grapevine members benefit from the power of virtual networking!Important Note!
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Until next time
Jennie
(Chief Harvester) |
