ZaaBiz Blog

The million Dollar View

Last night we were guests of Australian Business Talent, the new recruitment arm of NSW’s Business Chamber. The event took place at Milson’s Point and indulging in great food and wine, all networkers enjoyed the million dollar view onto the harbour and Sydney’s icon, the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

The team around Aaron, Nathalie and Ben did a fantastic job in looking after their 50 guests. Many interesting discussions were held with the general consensus, that the current credit crisis hurts several businesses in Australia but that still the Australian marketplace is far better off than most of the economies in Europe or the US.

Aaron and colleagues

Who says that Halloween is only supposed to be for children? Who says that it is just an American tradition which has no relevance to us in Australia? Why shouldn’t we get to benefit from a tradition that we have only adopted and haven’t really contributed to?

The eerie glow of a candle filled pumpkin is still a key icon that many recall from their childhood as a sign that lollies are free lollies might be lurking behind a neighbours door and for one of the only nights for the year it is acceptable to roam the streets and ask strangers for freebies.

Will the next revelation be a trick or a treat?

At ZaaBiz we took the hassle out of Halloween. Before it even arrived we decided to give all our members a treat by way of free Premium Membership. This saves our members from roaming the streets knocking on strangers doors asking for anything. We’ll save that privilege for qualified salespeople. Now that we have revealed the treat we might just let you know that we still have a trick or two up our sleeves for future fun we can unleash on Australia’s leading online Business Networking Community. Though as we race towards the end of another month and the upcoming excitement of the busy Xmas period it might be best to keep the tricks hidden for now and instead suggest that you coming knocking on our door as often as possible to make the most of the treats we have already bestowed upon you. No doubt, you business network will thank you.

Networking is a must-have buzz word at the moment for small businesses. It is to a small business what multi-million dollar tv advertising is to a large corporate firms. It is THE way to get a business name in the open market place or to THE way to allow those with whom you interact to gain familiarity with your brand.

How many ways do you connect with people?

Yet networking remains an under utilised marketing tool for many engaged in business. Whilst one statistic suggests that around 70% of small businesses in Australia still do not have a website, the statistics for networking are more difficult to analyse. For starters everyone has a social network at least and no doubt those in your social network would know about your business. However, if this were the only networking done by a small business it could only be described as ineffective.

Not only should a business owner actively promote their business through the networks they are already part of, they should actively seek new networks in which to promote their brand. This can be through face-to-face interaction, ‘traditional’ forms of advertising and through online business networking. Online business networking is perhaps the most efficient way of promoting a brand through networking. You are able to easily reach many more people than you are via face-to-face networking and it can be done at your computer during some ‘down-time’ at work. Of course it should online networking should not replace other forms of networking altogether, it is important to commence with an online networking strategy promptly to maximise the benefits of this key tool for your business!

One of the most over quoted phrases in the business world would have to be “its not what you know but who you know”. My view is that this is a bit of a simplistic way to look at business. Any business person will be able to tell you it is far more important to have a combination of knowledge and contacts. Whilst contacts might allow you to get your foot in the door in an organisation or industry, a failure to perform through a lack of knowledge or effort once you are there will not leave a positive impression on the people you work with.

On the other hand there is little point amassing an enviable array of theoretical knowledge through attending courses, reading books and talking to people without the opportunity to put this knowledge into practice when desired. Eventually this knowledge is best used if marketed correctly as part of a savvy business idea. Unfortunately one never knows which of their contacts may be helpful in a particular set of circumstances. In the current economic climate it is difficult enough to predict what circumstances the future will hold let alone the bets way to react.

The best solution therefore is a way to find a way of keeping all your contacts in an easily accessible location, with the information neatly filed. Better yet is a filing system to which each of these contacts could contribute allowing you to learn about them at the same time and also observe which other people they interact with. This is the premise behind a business networking platform like ZaaBiz. Each individual through their profile can demonstrate to those who their contacts, what their expertise is. Now we don’t have to choose between what we know and who we know, the two have been conveniently combined. Let the beneficial results, positive interactions and business possibilities flow forth. Come and see who YOU know that is already online waiting for you to interact with them on a business idea or opportunity

I don’t remember the last time I logged onto a news site and among the lead stories there wasn’t a story citing a plane crash or airline mishap of some description. An Australian airline seems to have been at the centre of the dramas but that might be indicative of the fact that I normally read the Australian news. In various continents around the world though other stories regularly appear. Its enough to make anyone afraid of traveling.

In other bad news for the frequent business travellers out there, the Australian dollar has this week been battered heavily on the foreign exchange markets. Its recovery has commenced but seems like it will be a slow climb back to the summit it reached earlier this year, if it gets there at all. The grand plans for travel, whether for business or personal reasons which seemed so feasible just months ago now must be re-examined.

As part of this re-examination one must look at alternate ways of keeping in touch with out overseas business contacts. Where even just ten years ago this task would have spelled difficulty for many, modern technology has a solution for entrepreneurs everywhere. Online business networking provides a perfect platform from which to maintain business contacts across vast distances when flying there doesn’t seem like quite such a good idea anymore. By getting online and connecting with current business contacts as well as actively networking with new contacts, precious business relationships can be fostered rather than lost. And once the financial crises are over and the airlines have their act together again, we can again look forward to some overseas travel.

Cheers,

There are often suggestions made about ways to assist older individuals to remain mentally active after they retire. At this point retirees are rarely challenging themselves as they during their working lives. Scientific studies often suggest ways to to combat problems ranging from boredom to Alzeimer’s disease. Recent suggestions have included crossword and sudoku puzzles and retaining an active social life.

A recent study from a team of scientists at University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) and published in the American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry has suggested that using search engines like Google can also help prevent late onset brain disorders. They have cited the need to formulate search queries and filter relevant results as having a positive impact on brain function particularly in middle aged to older individuals.

Here, at ZaaBiz, we have an even better solution. By searching on our site through your existing business contacts or searching for new business contacts not only will users obtain the benefits cited above, the networking itself will assist people to interact for business and socially. As noted above this is another proven way to assist brain function. So encourage everyone to use ZaaBiz, if not for the obvious benefits, then for their long term health!

Cheers,

Infusion and ZaaBiz have decided to take their successful networking events to Melbourne for an exciting networking opportunity. While the exact location has not been determined the event itself is shaping up to be a special one giving business people from Melbourne the chance to mingle, share ideas and listen to some thoughts by guest speaker Holly Ragland.

Holly plans to speak on a topic every networker will find invaluable “What is effective Networking?”. So while the dynamic speaker who has succeeded as a business coach is able to address this vital point, each networker will have an opportunity at the same venue to put her thoughts into practice and perhaps even incorporate and share some ideas of their own.

Come along to share, learn and build the potential for your business through an expanded network!
Date: Tuesday 28th October, 2008
Time: Doors open 6:30pm for networking with speaker action from 7:15pm, networking resumes from 7:45pm - 9:30pm
Venue: To be announced, but will be in Melbourne CBD area
Cost: $15 when you pre-book your tickets, otherwise $20 door charge applies * Bring a colleague or friend along for half price.
RSVP: Please email your name/s, company and email to info@infusion.org.au by Friday 24th October, 2008

Another exciting Business Networking Event has arrived. This joint effort between ZaaBiz and Infusion which has produced successful events in the past has organised another event to be held next Thursday in the heart of Sydney’s CBD. Held at Angel Hotel on Pitt St it is an ideal location for business people from Sydney to meet, greet and most importantly network.

A previous ZaaBiz networking event

Guest Speaker Julian Campbell has been invited to share his wealth of insight into the business world with an address entitled ‘Becoming Even More Effective’. He will look at the ways to reap the rewards for your hard work in the way that you deserve. His insights stretch beyond national borders and come from a successful career in the corporate and consultancy world.

If you want to meet like minded business professionals while you will still have plenty of time this year to follow up on the ideas and networks you gain, this event is one to attend.

When: Thursday 16 October 2008 from 6:30pm. Julian Campbell will speak briefly from 7:15pm
Where: Angel Hotel, Level 2, 125 Pitt Street (corner Angel Place), Sydney
How much: $15 when you pre-book your tickets, otherwise $20 door charge applies. Plus you can bring a friend or colleague for half price! Pay at the door on the night.
RSVP: Please email your name/s, company and email to info@infusion.org.au by Tuesday 14th October, 2008

I mentioned in an entry last week that if everyone involved in the Sydney Harbour Bridge traffic jam got out of their cars and started interacting they could create a spontaneous networking event. This led me to consider the potential for other spontaneous networking interactions. For example imagine if everyone at Bondi Beach on a busy day like Boxing Day was suddenly interested in networking. What about if the 80,000 fans watching the league final on Sunday decided to network rather than watch the pre-match entertainment? In either case the potential for beneficial interactions would be endless. Unfortunately the chances of such a spontaneous networking desire is limited.

One can then understand why people often prefer to attend a set networking event. Even though it requires more organisation at least you know the people there are also interested in networking and share similar aims and desires for the event. However, in order to connect with people you are looking for at these events you have to speak to individuals to find out what they do, what they are looking for and where their business is heading. Wouldn’t it be easier if everyone just wore a t-shirt with these details printed so we could just talk to the people whose interests aligned with ours.

A Networking Event

This is the beauty of ZaaBiz. The information is already there so we can jump straight past the introductions and just connect with the people who we are looking for. We also have the freedom to do it from the comfort of our office or home at a time that suits us, no matter how spontaneous that might be. That’s certainly easier than trying to speak to 80,000 screaming football fans!

Cheers, Grant

ZaaBiz has focused from the very first weeks onwards on having Groups or so called micro communities to cater for topical or regional interests of our members. These Groups are managed by moderators who care for the content, the member administration and general traffic in these Groups. Groups are your easy way to stay in touch with your immediate business circle.

Our most populated Groups today each have more than 500 members, Australian Internet Marketing, Women in Business or How to promote your Business are just examples of this. Other Groups with a more regional approach are the ‘Business People in …’ Groups. You are in Sydney, Melbourne, Chennai, Mumbai or Bangalore: why not join one of these regional Groups exchanging ideas about the business going on in their towns.

And here is our offer to the ones of you, who cannot find your appropriate town in one of our Business People in … Groups: why don’t you found one yourself, ‘Business People in Adelaide’, ‘Business People in Delhi’, ‘Business People in Singapore’ or alike are fantastic opportunities for you to get your name out and recognised by thousands of our members on ZaaBiz. ZaaBiz member Brittney Mann has experienced tremendous growth with her Group ‘Business People in Sydney‘ and since opening it a few weeks ago, the Group has grown to over 200 members. “I like managing my Group as it opens up new ways of connecting with other members on the platform,” she explains.

Sydney skyline from MLC

In order to help you with the administration of your Group, we’ll send you a manual to manage your group, once you opened it. Just follow this link, chose the right category for your Group and suggest your own topic. Any other question, just drop us a line.