Don’t you just love looking at where you’ve come from and how you’ve progressed, in business, in life? I do. In fact I've got into the habit of focussing on what I can learn, even when I’ve made some real bloopers. But I’m chuffed to say, that the last 12 months has been quite spectacular for me. It started with a decision I made when I heard a few murmurs about a credit crunch being on the horizon. Could I defy it and grow my business anyway? The answer I’m delighted to say is yes. And I have. My coaching, training and network bookings are up on last year and after having been challenged countless times by men who also want to be in on the fun I’ve made another decision .... Yes, I’m opening my http://www.womensalternativenetwork.co.uk/
to men too, but will be ditching the old name and renaming it The-Alternative-Network.co.uk.
But more about that later. So watch this space!
I've been making some fantastic plans with Website Trouble Shooter, Kirsty Farrelly, http://www.openbookagency.co.uk/ to run a series of ‘Fit For Business’ sessions through the new network. Can't spoil the surprise yet, but I guess you could say it will be a 'no-nonsense' approach for those that really want to leap ahead with their websites, their marketing, their goals and their vision in 2009 - credit crunch or no credit crunch.
I'll be back with more news tomorrow.
Ann
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
A Few Words From Our Members
Hello again
Everyone is talking about the economic downturn, including our members and how great that you are continuing to be so positive and spirited with your emails and comments. I thought I'd share a few with you:
Rebecca Bishop of Dandelion Graphics says "I do have some general advice about coping with the current climate and that is - switch the TV off when the news comes on! It's depressing hearing about the financial state of the country every day and it's not as bad as the media make out if you get out there talking to real business people".http://www.dandeliongraphics.co.uk/
Sonya Lee Davies of Etiquette says, "I won't be able to help you get rich, however, we do guarantee that you will feel much richer after first 10 weeks with Etiquette". http://www.etiquette121.com
Suzie Young of Urban Kneads adds "nuture relationships with existing clients and keep in regular contact with them so as to gain a stream of mouth referrals and feedback on other products and services they would like to buy from you". http://www.urban-kneads.com/
From the conversations I have had with many of you recently it seems that you are taking the opportunity to look very closely at what you are offering, how well you are doing it and who your target market is 'adding value' one way or another together with a little more flexibility in how you operate.
So far, touch wood, it hasn't affected me but then you'd expect that I hope ...... it's like a red rag to a bull to me. I just like to go out there and get more business to defy the odds. It's a great feeling when you know you've really earned it too.
Hope to see you all at next Wednesday's Colwick Hall Event.
Keep smiling
Ann
Everyone is talking about the economic downturn, including our members and how great that you are continuing to be so positive and spirited with your emails and comments. I thought I'd share a few with you:
Rebecca Bishop of Dandelion Graphics says "I do have some general advice about coping with the current climate and that is - switch the TV off when the news comes on! It's depressing hearing about the financial state of the country every day and it's not as bad as the media make out if you get out there talking to real business people".http://www.dandeliongraphics.co.uk/
Sonya Lee Davies of Etiquette says, "I won't be able to help you get rich, however, we do guarantee that you will feel much richer after first 10 weeks with Etiquette". http://www.etiquette121.com
Suzie Young of Urban Kneads adds "nuture relationships with existing clients and keep in regular contact with them so as to gain a stream of mouth referrals and feedback on other products and services they would like to buy from you". http://www.urban-kneads.com/
From the conversations I have had with many of you recently it seems that you are taking the opportunity to look very closely at what you are offering, how well you are doing it and who your target market is 'adding value' one way or another together with a little more flexibility in how you operate.
So far, touch wood, it hasn't affected me but then you'd expect that I hope ...... it's like a red rag to a bull to me. I just like to go out there and get more business to defy the odds. It's a great feeling when you know you've really earned it too.
Hope to see you all at next Wednesday's Colwick Hall Event.
Keep smiling
Ann
Friday, October 31, 2008
Rising High in Turbulent Times
Good day
Funny where a chance conversation with someone can lead you? A few weeks ago when I was talking about the last recession in the 90's and the fact that I doubled turnover as a result of quite frankly getting sick and tired hearing about the doom gloom, I suddenly get asked to talk to businesses about coping with the recession. It was nothing to do with the person I had the conversation with, though maybe it is on a subliminal level. Which reminds me about one of my previous bloggs on 'The Law of Attraction'.
And then today, with a little help from Louise Third of Integra Communications, Heart FM get in touch for an interview next week. Hurrah! Once again, I've already decided to up my game and have a better year personally and professionally this year than last, which is quite something because last year was nothing to complain about.
So what's with the title, 'Rising High in Turbulent Time'? From my perspective, rising high is a choice. You can ride the quest of the wave or get pounded by it's force. I'm made a few strategic mistakes I admit it and some have cost me dearly, but it's where we go from here. Whether you are a business owner or employee there is one thing for sure. Remaining static could be a dangerous choice. Getting out, getting known, getting seen and being remembered is certainly going to work in your favour, if not immediately, then very soon. Don't forget, think it, feel it, see it and the Law of Attraction will do the rest.
Ann
Funny where a chance conversation with someone can lead you? A few weeks ago when I was talking about the last recession in the 90's and the fact that I doubled turnover as a result of quite frankly getting sick and tired hearing about the doom gloom, I suddenly get asked to talk to businesses about coping with the recession. It was nothing to do with the person I had the conversation with, though maybe it is on a subliminal level. Which reminds me about one of my previous bloggs on 'The Law of Attraction'.
And then today, with a little help from Louise Third of Integra Communications, Heart FM get in touch for an interview next week. Hurrah! Once again, I've already decided to up my game and have a better year personally and professionally this year than last, which is quite something because last year was nothing to complain about.
So what's with the title, 'Rising High in Turbulent Time'? From my perspective, rising high is a choice. You can ride the quest of the wave or get pounded by it's force. I'm made a few strategic mistakes I admit it and some have cost me dearly, but it's where we go from here. Whether you are a business owner or employee there is one thing for sure. Remaining static could be a dangerous choice. Getting out, getting known, getting seen and being remembered is certainly going to work in your favour, if not immediately, then very soon. Don't forget, think it, feel it, see it and the Law of Attraction will do the rest.
Ann
The Message in a Brand
I'm on a roll now. This is my second blog today. What have I learned? Clearly if I diarise it it gets done. Hardly brain science.
I was sitting in the reception of a client company, Cummins Generator Technology, yesterday when I picked up their corporate magazine and flicking through it I came upon a little red folded up booklet which informed all Cummins' stakeholders 10 Top Things To Know about their brand.
It made fascinating reading and I was kindly handed a complimentary copy of the magzine to take away with me.
So I've decided to model their example and put something in words today that I hope will help to reflect what me and my company's brand promise is all about.
It's more than a phone call to confirm your appointment. More than an email to answer your query. More than a meeting to explore the problem. More than a question to stimulate your thinking. More than listening behind the words. More than observing to see the shifts. More than acknowledging your commitment. More than believing your intention. More than expectation in your promise. More than achievement in your endeavours. It's all of these things and something more. It's the sum of past experience and the promise of tomorrow. It's the one thing I hope you can trust. My brand.
I was sitting in the reception of a client company, Cummins Generator Technology, yesterday when I picked up their corporate magazine and flicking through it I came upon a little red folded up booklet which informed all Cummins' stakeholders 10 Top Things To Know about their brand.
It made fascinating reading and I was kindly handed a complimentary copy of the magzine to take away with me.
So I've decided to model their example and put something in words today that I hope will help to reflect what me and my company's brand promise is all about.
It's more than a phone call to confirm your appointment. More than an email to answer your query. More than a meeting to explore the problem. More than a question to stimulate your thinking. More than listening behind the words. More than observing to see the shifts. More than acknowledging your commitment. More than believing your intention. More than expectation in your promise. More than achievement in your endeavours. It's all of these things and something more. It's the sum of past experience and the promise of tomorrow. It's the one thing I hope you can trust. My brand.
Mind Crunch or Credit Crunch?
Hello again!
I know....... long time no blog! And since I have dedicated today to catch up on my writing (aren't you so proud of me Kirsty? ...she's the influence behind anything I do Web/IT wise) you may well see an abundance of blogs and articles over the coming months. Well let's face it, unless it's in the diary, does it get done? Must be something to learn from that!
So, where to start? Well the last 3 months have been some of the most interesting I can honestly say I have had in my life. Funny isn't it, over the years I've been on scores of courses, listened to endless tapes (or is it Ipods today?), read hundreds of books and spoken to many many wise and learned people that you'd think that I'd have the secret to the universe. But there's nothing quite like 'experience' when it comes to learning and change.
So now you are sitting there expecting to read about some catastrophic incident that occurred recently and all the woes, blood, sweat and tears that I battled through to emerge safely and sainly out the other end? Sorry to disappoint!
Ok so the credit crunch has had its effects on the Martin household, but how is it that I can 'hand on my heart' say that I feel even happier and more content than ever? My coach recently said (yes I know, I'm a coach why should I need a coach ...answer, don't we all if we want to continually be moving in the right direction ?) that real 'learning' comes through listening, I mean really listening, to something in your head or your body that's trying to get some attention and finding out what the heck's going on. And that includes when you're feeling really great as well as when you're having a freeky moment.
And the BIG shifts come from when you commit to getting a 'learning' from every good or bad situation.
So there's a credit crunch and for some it could mean them losing everything they have. For others it could mean having to cut back. How timely it was that Lesley Brown sent something to me recently that just puts everything into perspective. Let me know and I'll glady pass it on.
Until later
Ann
I know....... long time no blog! And since I have dedicated today to catch up on my writing (aren't you so proud of me Kirsty? ...she's the influence behind anything I do Web/IT wise) you may well see an abundance of blogs and articles over the coming months. Well let's face it, unless it's in the diary, does it get done? Must be something to learn from that!
So, where to start? Well the last 3 months have been some of the most interesting I can honestly say I have had in my life. Funny isn't it, over the years I've been on scores of courses, listened to endless tapes (or is it Ipods today?), read hundreds of books and spoken to many many wise and learned people that you'd think that I'd have the secret to the universe. But there's nothing quite like 'experience' when it comes to learning and change.
So now you are sitting there expecting to read about some catastrophic incident that occurred recently and all the woes, blood, sweat and tears that I battled through to emerge safely and sainly out the other end? Sorry to disappoint!
Ok so the credit crunch has had its effects on the Martin household, but how is it that I can 'hand on my heart' say that I feel even happier and more content than ever? My coach recently said (yes I know, I'm a coach why should I need a coach ...answer, don't we all if we want to continually be moving in the right direction ?) that real 'learning' comes through listening, I mean really listening, to something in your head or your body that's trying to get some attention and finding out what the heck's going on. And that includes when you're feeling really great as well as when you're having a freeky moment.
And the BIG shifts come from when you commit to getting a 'learning' from every good or bad situation.
So there's a credit crunch and for some it could mean them losing everything they have. For others it could mean having to cut back. How timely it was that Lesley Brown sent something to me recently that just puts everything into perspective. Let me know and I'll glady pass it on.
Until later
Ann
Thursday, July 10, 2008
The Power Of Attraction
Hi everyone
Last year I kept hearing about a documentary called 'The Secret'. You've probably seen it? I didn't do anything about it at the time, however, it was at the back of my mind for ages. Perhaps I should go on line and order it. Just as I had remembered , my broadband went down! Typical I thought. Then that night, someone, out of the blue, handed it to me telling me that someone else had recommended it to him. He had started to watch it but couldn't make head nor tail of what the heck it was talking about.
"It's The Secret", I said. I've been looking for that. Amazing, talk about the law of attraction!
So, I have to say, as soon as I started to watch it I was hooked. I kept playing it again and again, hey and guess what! It works. I cannot believe how many people keep cropping up in my life that I haven't seen for years! It happened 4 times yesterday with 4 different people. Though, they apparently came to see me because they had seen my photo and a promotion of an event I was speaking at.
I just hate it when I watch a film or something that someone at the side of me has watched already and insists in giving me a running commentary about it. So I won't spoil it for you. Just get it and enjoy it. Then try it!
I'd love to hear your comments, views, experiences. Let me know.
Ann
Last year I kept hearing about a documentary called 'The Secret'. You've probably seen it? I didn't do anything about it at the time, however, it was at the back of my mind for ages. Perhaps I should go on line and order it. Just as I had remembered , my broadband went down! Typical I thought. Then that night, someone, out of the blue, handed it to me telling me that someone else had recommended it to him. He had started to watch it but couldn't make head nor tail of what the heck it was talking about.
"It's The Secret", I said. I've been looking for that. Amazing, talk about the law of attraction!
So, I have to say, as soon as I started to watch it I was hooked. I kept playing it again and again, hey and guess what! It works. I cannot believe how many people keep cropping up in my life that I haven't seen for years! It happened 4 times yesterday with 4 different people. Though, they apparently came to see me because they had seen my photo and a promotion of an event I was speaking at.
I just hate it when I watch a film or something that someone at the side of me has watched already and insists in giving me a running commentary about it. So I won't spoil it for you. Just get it and enjoy it. Then try it!
I'd love to hear your comments, views, experiences. Let me know.
Ann
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
Has Spring sprung?
I think I'm in heaven! At last, the sun is shining and the birds are singing and I think I've just been born again! I'm not complaining about the winter we're just emerging from, but you've got to admit, sunshine and the birds chorus makes life seem very different. Where did all that energy come from - I feel 10 years younger!
I've been up for several hours already, probably like you, coffee in hand, computer on my lap and already have added a dozen or so things to my 'to do list' this morning. Today is the day when I get everything 'scratched off' and then I reap myself a reward (tip from my Business Coach) this afternoon for all my efforts. Don't you just love storming through all those tasks and feeling that wonderful sence of achievement and pride!
I've already booked myself on 3 Business Networking events and arranged 2 Life and business Coaching Sessions with my coach over the next month. It can be pretty lonely working for yourself, even if you have lots of staff. I'm at my best when I'm meeting up with my business buddy, networking or speaking with my IT guru Kirsty.
Associating with like minded people is a must for me. There's so much negative stuff around us all of the time - you just switch on the news and here it comes - murders, rapes, war, the state of the economy. Why do they give us so little good news?
Well, perhaps it's down to us to create it. And create it we do. I get so excited when I receive emails from members of this network that tell me about something you've just achieved - it could be a small task that you've been putting off for ages or a conversation you've been avoiding. And the impetus it gives us all to then go on and get something else done is worth doing that little thing in the first place.
Well, time to get back to the list. And now I can scratch this little job out!
Bye for now.
Ann
I've been up for several hours already, probably like you, coffee in hand, computer on my lap and already have added a dozen or so things to my 'to do list' this morning. Today is the day when I get everything 'scratched off' and then I reap myself a reward (tip from my Business Coach) this afternoon for all my efforts. Don't you just love storming through all those tasks and feeling that wonderful sence of achievement and pride!
I've already booked myself on 3 Business Networking events and arranged 2 Life and business Coaching Sessions with my coach over the next month. It can be pretty lonely working for yourself, even if you have lots of staff. I'm at my best when I'm meeting up with my business buddy, networking or speaking with my IT guru Kirsty.
Associating with like minded people is a must for me. There's so much negative stuff around us all of the time - you just switch on the news and here it comes - murders, rapes, war, the state of the economy. Why do they give us so little good news?
Well, perhaps it's down to us to create it. And create it we do. I get so excited when I receive emails from members of this network that tell me about something you've just achieved - it could be a small task that you've been putting off for ages or a conversation you've been avoiding. And the impetus it gives us all to then go on and get something else done is worth doing that little thing in the first place.
Well, time to get back to the list. And now I can scratch this little job out!
Bye for now.
Ann
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