On 19 December 2018, a variety of people who live, work and network in Camberwell (Camberwellians) gathered together to share their tips on The Business of Growth and Success with others at Barolo Trattoria, Level 1, 885 Burke Road, Camberwell.
The discussion began with a presentation from Stephen Dyt. Here are their tips (paraphrased from notes by Sue Ellson).
Ask yourself what you do well, what you don’t do well and ask yourself why? Generally work with small business clients of local accountants – business about sales, marketing, production and systems. The 1% of things to change. The four key formulas to wealth. Customer Formula – leads funnel and conversion rate. Revenue Formula – average sale increased to cover expenses and multiple customers by sales. Gross Profit Formula – margin over direct costs and how much you are keeping. Net Profit Formula – final results.
Three frustrations of business – need more customers, more revenue and how to keep the money you have made. Stephen also discussed tips related to this article on Linkedin 11 Obscure Trends holding back Small Business by Grant Leibbrandt.
Jane Newman – Lifestyle Coach
Consistency in sales and marketing 10×10 calls by 10am, 12×12 if running late. Achieved number 1 Australian Business KPI Award.
Roderick Smith – Public Speaker and Social Researcher
Know your customer well – related story of car sale through dealer in Geelong – constantly kept in loop and updated during wait, no hesitation in going back.
Enjoyed ripper overseas trip to the Toastmaster Convention in Chicago and visited eight cities in five weeks.
Prati Bhatt – Tea Merchant and Personal Development CEO
Met personally with tea farmers in India to select best crop to wholesale and retail.
Had a full time job in engineering and had a stable income and was most happy when handed in her resignation lettter – best decision to make as she was intellectually ready for business, not stuck in the ‘how’ to make it happen, if you have the what and why, the how will come.
Diane Beddison – Landscape Designer and Horticulturalist
Connect with people in a similar industry for referrals both ways (ie interior designer, architect etc) and has a new grandchild.
Paul Farina – Professional Development Specialist – Training and Mentoring
Slow down, have a discussion, don’t run away from discussion and moments you don’t want. A thirty second discussion can open business and personal opportunities Developed own IP and 2019 calendar.
Chelsea Djentuh – Client Experience Executive Tribeca Financial
If you are constantly running without a goal, you will be running around in circles. Happy to have joined Tribeca from a big organisation as they are a company that really connects with clients. Living a good life, travel, work, live hard.
Mariana Subasic – Associate Adviser at Tribeca Financial
Achieved financial adviser status. When faced with a tough decision, choose the one that scares you.
Ernest Gavey – Solar Business
Started in solar in 1983, expanded to Queensland in 1988, supported a family in the Philippines in 2011 for three years.
Noticed everyone was selling solar and lots of competition and no margin, found a new product to take heat out of buildings as he is an engineer and is always interested in developing better products – now this product is mainstream.
Other companies will copy your success and replicate. Everyone is motivated by success so need a good spirit in the company.
Taken a back step this year and has been listening to staff and delegating more and having weekly meetings with the branches. Be persistent, keep the customers interests in mind.
What does the customer wantt? Two ears, one mouth, will buy, not need to sell.
Michael Royal – Residential and Commercial Finance Broker
Try and solve clients problems and major issues in life and will naturally be referred business – focus on the isssue and solve their problems and they will become advocates for you.
This year dealt with the wife of a client who had died for the first time (passed away with a heart attack), supported the wife with insurance etc and developed a tight bond.
Luke Mase – Adviser at Tribeca Financial
Planning is the key to all sorts of growth, write it down what you want to achieve. Taken up golf – a new challenge, encourage you to try something new.
Ingrid Pich – Fitness Trainer and Health Coach for 40+
Created an online health course with education about weight loss, fasting process, we all eat too much, too often and the wrong things. Launched yesterday.
Try doing different things for growth, always have a challenge, don’t become complacent, end up in a rut and not grow, not age related. Ask yourself, why are you here – not to watch the television.
John McRae – Website Design, App Development and Digital Marketing at Revium
Installed HR System Bamboo – all online and better, stepped back from business and working less and sales are up. Need to keep the customers you do have by maintaining the relationship. People like to do business with people they like.
Melissa Macleod – Client Service Manager at Tribeca Financial
Been the team reporter and office move coordinator from St Kilda – ask for and accept help and help others
Amanda Mao – Freelance B2B bilingual Chinese Medical Writer and Translator
China is Australia’s biggest trading partner – help register and sell health supplements, referrals very important, word of mouth and trust, if you like doing business, remind them if they are happy to refer you on!
Professionally registered with the Chinese Government and met with clients onsite in China and really helped business. Personally, moved to Melbourne two years and now have purchased first home in Australia.
Sue Ellson – Independent LinkedIn Specialist, Camberwell Network and Newcomers Network Founder
Awarded Top Writer 2018 with Quora.com and Top 10 LinkedIn Expert in the Asia Pacific Region by the Social Media Marketing Institute.
Tips for growth, keep learning, in particular no just how to complete a LinkedIn Profile but how to use LinkedIn (across all demographics).
Be willing to acknowledge and review your clients publicly with online reviews, photos etc.
Register for the next Camberwell Networkers event on the Third Wednesday of the Month between 5:30pm and 7:00pm here.