Moving Forward Business Coach's Newsletter
http://www.movingforwardcoaching.com.au
Email:  robyn@movingforwardcoaching.com.au

December 2006,  Issue #15

Happy Holidays!

I'd like to welcome all my subscribers to 'Tips to create a successful business'.  You are receiving this newsletter because you or someone you know subscribed you to our mailing list. This Newsletter is 100% Opt In Only! Please pass this newsletter on to anyone who you feel might benefit from its content. Just send them a copy or have them visit our website at http://www.movingforwardcoaching.com.au/. If you feel that you have received this newsletter in error and wish to be removed from our mailing list, you will find easy removal instructions at the bottom of this newsletter.

The end of another year has come around again. Our December newsletter will be more brief than usual. It is a chance to wish everyone all the best for the festive season, and plant a few seeds regarding looking back over the past year and forward into the new one.  

It has been a year of continued growth, learning and success for so many businesses that we work with. Contributing to the development of such a variety of businesses, dreams, visions and methodologies is as rewarding as ever and very inspiring.  

One of our key focuses this year has been encouraging business owners to WIN in whatever game they choose to play.  We encourage them to increase their knowledge of their own business, but also business in general with knowledge of their strengths, weaknesses opportunity and threats and be forward thinking, reflective and analytical. We have noticed the great benefits that occur when business owners take the time to research their industry.  This awareness puts business owner’s in the drivers seat and leads to growth and a more focused businesses.  Why not take yourself on a trip to the Victorian State Business Centre for information on your business sector (there are many Centres you can visit) and do a search on Ibisworld on their computers.  It is free to access the Ibisworld reports on their computers. 

Another area we have been building is that of working with confidence. Knowing the strengths of both your business, yourself and your team is a great tool. We saw the benefits of this ourselves this year as our sister company MFBT P/L became accredited to deliver the Advanced Diploma in Business Management. This was a great step and a clear result of focus and confidence.  

If you are a business owner or director, or working in a role where you can make a difference and would like to fast track your way to the Advanced Diploma Business Management then why not take advantage of this innovative method of learning and enrol for 2007.  The method is via coaching with a Moving Forward Business Coach and 6 hours class workshops.  Email mfbt@movingforwardcoaching.com.au .  Read below in the useful information section of this newsletter for more information on this.

We wish all of you a very safe and happy Christmas and a prosperous 2007. Our article this newsletter highlights the importance of moving into the New Year with a strong sense of your achievements for the year past, and your plans for the year ahead. We look forward to working with you in 2007 and continuing to see such exciting growth and development in so many businesses.
 

The end of a year is a natural time to recap and reflect. It is tempting for business owners to overlook their successes throughout the year. People often focus on what has gone wrong. This can be useful in terms of developing strategies for improvement. But it is vital to also take the time to acknowledge your achievements for the year.

Knowing what you are good at and what you have done well is the best starting point for future planning. Take a few minutes now to list the things you are proud of this year. Include plans and visions that came to fruition, as well as unexpected achievements that you accomplished. I bet the list is longer than you would have imagined. Congratulate yourself on all of the things you have done well.

Another important step in this reflective process is to think about all the things you are grateful for. Nobody runs a business (or a life!) on their own. Think about the people who have helped you throughout the year. For example, I am grateful for the terrific clients I have seen taking major steps and doing such wonderful things with their businesses. Congratulations go out to all of them. And they also act as a reminder to me about what I love about my own business. I am also grateful for the coaching techniques I have learned that mean I can help others. I am grateful for my wonderful family, for all of the love and support they give me, plus so many other things both personally and in business. Make a few notes now about the various things you are grateful for. These things and people are part of your business collateral. They add enormous value to you both personally and to your business. 

Now that you have a strong sense about all the positive work you have done and gifts you have received in 2006, use this knowledge to look ahead to 2007. Where would you like your business to go next year? What is going to be both satisfying and profitable? It is easy to get complacent from year to year, especially if things are ticking along steadily. Make the commitment to both yourself and your business to plan for the year ahead. January is usually a more quiet time for most businesses. Those extra hours can be a great opportunity to clear your head and your desk and make some concrete plans for the future.

It is worth noting an interesting article that appeared in The Age on 1 December.  You can see it at: http://businessnetwork.theage.com.au/articles/2006/11/30/15072.html    Among other things, the article noted that:  

"SMALL and medium businesses across the nation have reported an improvement in profit and sales, and are more optimistic.  The November Sensis Business Index shows business confidence among 1,800 small and medium enterprises (SMEs) improved strongly over the past quarter, and most expected better economic conditions. The main problem reported by businesses was difficulty in finding and keeping staff."

This has been my observation too in my work as a business coach.  In some areas it is very difficult to get staff and in others getting quality staff can be troublesome. Businesses that have a high performing culture and that embrace teamwork and have empowered staff have the advantage over those they don’t. They will attract and retain staff of greater quality and for greater lengths of time. If this is an area where you feel your business might be lacking, a Moving Forward Business Coach can help you achieve this.
 

Advanced Diploma business management (Management Fast..track Business Training).  Six hours per subject class time plus coaching to fast track your business to success and your way to a qualification underwritten by Box Hill Institute.  Subjects offered are BSBMGT601A Contribute to Strategic Direction, BSBMGT602A Contribute to the development and implementation of Strategic Plans, BSBMGT605A Provide Leadership across the Organisation, BSBMGT606A Manage Customer Focus, BSBMGT608A Manage Innovation and Continuous Improvement, BSBMKG603A Manage the Marketing Process, BSBHR601A Manage Change, BSBHR603A Contribute to Organisation Development.    Email mfbt@movingforwardcoaching.com.au for more information.

Training opportunity - Are you are a trainer that is passionate about small business development and enjoys facilitating business workshops in any of the subjects above.   You must be willing to work on a sessional basis and have your Certificate IV in Workplace Training and Assessment, together with Business qualifications.  Send your resume to mfbt@movingforwardcoaching.com.au .  Please state clearly the subjects that you would be interested in facilitating.

Building a better sales culture - take a look at how the Brooklyn Company revved up their sales and had their best year yet:   Read more  

Staff Booklet- Getting to know the business: This booklet is produced by Moving Forward Business Coach and has been designed to make it easy to train your staff about the business.  It's so easy - the staff member will just complete the booklet which will encourage them to research the answers.  You as the business owner or manager can guide them.  This is an absolute must for any business owner to work on with their staff. For more information or to purchase the Staff Booklet – Getting to know the business, click here.    Don't forget to order one for each one of your staff members!!!!  We also welcome inquiries from international businesses as well.  The international postage rates are not up on the website as yet - but don't hesitate to email us.

Getting online Pack:  Too many businesses ignore selling on the internet because they don’t know how.  How can you ignore an area which is growing so quickly, and imagine having a passive income whilst you are sleeping.  I chose these e-Books to help people understand the internet and internet marketing. Click here for more information.

To subscribe to the newsletter please click here

We accept no responsibility whatsoever for the content,
profitability or legality of any published articles or
advertisements contained within Tips to create a successful business.

Although all of the articles have been selected for their
content, the publishing of such articles within this newsletter
does NOT constitute a recommendation of the products or
services mentioned or advertised within those articles.

Be responsible! Always do your own Due Diligence before
responding to any offer.

------------------------------------------------

We respect the privacy of our readers.

We will NEVER supply or sell your personal information to
any Third Party!
 

© Moving Forward Business Coach - December 2006
You are welcome to use the articles from the 'Tips to create a successful business' newsletter as long as you include complete attribution and a live link to the website, The attribution should read "By Robyn Pollard of Moving Forward Business Coach.  Please visit our website at http://www.movingforwardcoaching.com.au/" for extra tips on creating your successful business