Do you have a 1900’s website?

Do you have a 1900’s website?

Website’s weren’t around in the 1900’s, they came much later!

Think about this, films today are so different to those made years ago. Films have continued to develop in the way they are made and produced. If you can understand that then think of your business as a film. Just as films have and continue to develop and adapt, so must you and your business.

One focus could be your website. Paying for a website might be difficult at the start, however, your website is the window by which you showcase you and your business and so investing in it is important.

All those wanting to work with you, connect with you, buy from you or support you need to feel they know you. Business and charity are more to do with people than what the business or charity actually does. You can put your products and services on your website but to those visiting it’s so what? Its the why should they buy from you, who are you, why this business and why this product?

8 Tips for your website:

* Spend what money you can on the best website you can
* Engage a copywriter and/or PR expert to help write the content and try not to use jargon – try using plain
English
* Make your website uncluttered – Home, About, Product and/or services, contact
* Have a video – a silent website is like a silent movie, not interesting and out of date. Make your video
effective or different and make sure that a video is on the correct website page and make the video relevant to
the audience
* Keep your landing page simple and concise – remember the 8 second rule? Visitors have just 8 seconds to decide
about looking further
* Include your branding throughout
* Follow up all messages – as time goes on and you become busier you may engage a virtual assistant or an associate
* Review your website, does it still represent your business/charity and you?

Do you have a 1900’s website? Only you have the answer.

Alison Cross-Jones

Have you heard of the 8 second test?

Have you heard of the 8 second test?

I came across this concept quite a few years ago, although along the way its been referred to as the 5 second test, instant recognition test, amongst others. No matter what it’s called research over the years has shown that you have around 8 seconds (possibly a few seconds longer) to grab the interest of others. This could be those visiting your website – after all, they don’t call it surfing the web for nothing. The same rule applies to those you meet and talk to you at networking events, if they’re not interested in you they will switch off and go on to the next person.

How do you avoid this?

On a website make the first page short, snappy and relevant. It should be clear to the visitor who you are and what you do. Why should those visiting choose to support you, buy from you or connect with you? Tell them what makes you unique!

Recently at an event there were a number of people selling products, some similar, what would make each one different? The person behind the business. As individuals we’re different and so once we realise that, we realise that our businesses and the stories behind those businesses will be too! Have confidence in yourself, be yourself and others will see that you are unique and they’ll be interested.

The ‘8 second test’ also applies to charities who are also businesses. A number of charities helping animals, those with cancer, helping children, etc are all different. They may be helping the same need but the way they achieve their goals and the teams behind the scenes are different.

Your website home page needs a clear layout with just a few pages, a headline that grabs attention that gives the visitor a reason to stay and look at more. Try adding good quality images, video, music, etc

When networking or meeting people be clear about you do and why, give examples of success or if a new starter say something successful about yourself. Conversations between interesting people interested in one another are much better and more productive.

Have you heard of the 8 second test? If you don’t grab attention, then those visiting your website will hit your site, stay for a few seconds… and then they’ll be gone. Usually forever! When you meet people grab their attention by knowing your business and be able to answer any questions. Remember in an ever competitive world you have a small amount of time to gain interest in what you do and why.

Alison Cross-Jones

Business & Charity Consultant

PR – What’s it all about to you?

PR – What’s it all about to you?

Is PR paid advertising? Is PR social media e.g. Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, Instragram, etc? Is PR being in the press, on the TV and/or radio? Is PR marketing? Is PR your website? Is PR about images or photos?

The truth is PR is ALL of the above and much more!

Think of PR as your personal business/charity book because its your story and each of the above are parts of that book like chapters. Good PR is about providing interesting stories, building interest in you, your brand and what makes you unique. Just as each person is different so is each business and charity, even those doing similar things.

Do you need to pay for good PR? That’s a question I often get asked as a consultant. My response is that some of your PR you can do yourself at no cost but for some having professional PR support is vital. So if you need advice and support go to an expert in that field. However, remember that excellence in one field does not equate to excellence in all fields of PR. Do your research, ask for recommendations and listen, value the support being provided.

I always suggest an annual PR review with an expert. This is a one off session where you and a PR expert can plan for the coming year, where the expert can provide tips for the PR you plan on doing yourself and to plan the PR the expert will do. This gives a complete balance to what you’re doing.

PR – What’s it all about to you? Its about a lot of different aspects all working together for success.

Alison Cross-Jones

Get your ducks in a row before trouble strikes!

Get your ducks in a row before trouble strikes!

Too many people start a great charitable endeavour. A good, much needed idea, however, they move forward before they “get all their ducks in a row.” Too many people start a charity and think its not a business. All charities are businesses and until you realise that, real success will elude you.

What does getting all your ducks in a row really mean?

It’s about making sure that you have a firm foundation to build on, firstly it’s about making sure your idea is needed and it’s about building a core team to help you achieve your goal. Choose those with ability as well as those who share your passion, so other people in business, teachers, solicitors and barristers, those in financial services, etc

Once your team is in place, things like policies and procedures follow. Some examples are: financial, safeguarding (and not just for children), volunteer, health and safety, to name to few and that’s just for starters because the job is much bigger than you’ll think.

Don’t forget risk assessments because every area of what you carries a risk, staff, volunteers, money, activities/projects are just examples the list is endless. Your risk assessments will show possible supporters, grant givers and supporters that you understand all possible risks and how you aim to mitigate these.

N.B: All of your policies, procedures, risk assessments will need to be reviewed to be regularly, at least annually. Consultants can help you complete an organisational audit and while this costs, its worth putting this into your annual budget.

Then you’ll need insurances for example: public liability, employee liability (even if you have volunteers), trustee/director liability to name a few.

Once you’ve got all these in place you’ll need a robust business plan. However, you can’t write this until you’ve sat down with an accountant and worked out annual costs, planned your income and fundraising strategy as well as your PR for the coming year. When all of the above has been completed then you can put together your business plan in the knowledge that you’re ready to face all possible challenges. I always recommend a rolling business plan because this means an annual review and an opportunity to make any changes that are necessary. It also keeps the team focused on the goals and work.

Finally, everything completed your ready to roll out your work to the public.

Many start without building a foundation, they try and do these vital pieces of work after making their work public. To those individuals and those supporting I’d say beware you have failed to get your ducks in a row and trouble will likely strike without expert help.

Alison Cross-Jones
Consultant

When business goes from 0 to 100 and they wonder when it goes wrong?

When business goes from 0 to 100 and they wonder when it goes wrong?

Lots of people have a business idea! What they do next will determine whether they are successful!

There are lots of people who talk about the importance of marketing, networking, putting the wow into your business, etc and while all of that is relevant, all of it has its place and time because there is a time and place for everything.

Imagine you want to build a house? Remember the story of the three little pigs? We all know that the house of straw and the house of sticks fell down and that the house of bricks remained firm. Why is it then that so many people build a business or start a charitable endeavour without a firm foundation? It’s madness!

When you have a business or charity idea, do your research, get the name and the branding but then stop and plan!

Planning is the key to a successful business.

The first year should be about:registering the business, getting the name and brand right, getting expert PR advice and plan the first year’s PR and build your website. Finally, write your business plan. Before you write this you’ll need your income plan (fundraising/income for charities) this might include sales, bookings, etc. Next comes the PR plan which will include, social media, blogs, stories, marketing, etc. Once these are in place, the business plan will follow.

When all this is in place you can concentrate of the ‘frills’ the networking, joining business meetings, booking onto learning workshops, etc because now you’re in a position to know where you are going and how you’re going to get there.

It’s so important to plan without one then you could find that your business will go from 0 to 100 and you could be left wondering when it goes wrong.

A New Year, A New Start

A New Year, A New Start

2019 has already well and truly begun! For me its been with a bang, a health scare but its been the jolt I needed! No matter who we are or what we do we all need a ‘jolt’ something that makes us stop and reevaluate where we are, where we’re going and how we can get there. Sometimes life throws things into the mix and then no matter what we first thought, our journey changes.

My journey this year is a bit like that. My health scare has put a different focus on my year ahead, a prospective move and a change within my job are all things that will change my direction. I’m looking at each one as a new and exciting challenge.

Whilst frightening at the time my health scare means that I now need to refocus on my weight loss, eat less sugar (again) and drink more water.

My home move is an opportunity to build a home that’s all mine, one where I can make new friends and have a new start.

Any change in employment is an opportunity to learn, develop your skills and progress yourself and that has to be positive, so embrace these, don’t shy away, be fabulous!

I did have other plans for 2019 and while those won’t be forgotten, the focus has changed but that’s okay and that’s positive too. My Nan used to say that every new year was an opportunity to write a new chapter and it was down to all of us to make it good.

A New Year, A New Start, I intend that it will be, what about you?

Dickens in the modern age!

Dickens in the modern age!

Its the 21st century! Surely in this day and age poverty and destitution are things of the past, the things consigned to Dickens great works? If only!

The reality today is that while man has moved on with technology and education, where health is better with vaccines and great strides in medicine (we’re living longer), the number of those living in poverty is rising.

Those in poverty are divided into those out of work and those who are in work where income doesn’t cover what’s needed to get by.

Those who are in work poverty have ‘hobson’s choice‘ because if they give up their work, there is no money for 26 weeks because the system says in leaving your job you are making yourself intentionally jobless. There is no account taken of the fact that affording to actually get to work and paying the bills is becoming too much. In that 26 weeks there is no help with housing costs. This means housing providers taking back properties and then homelessness follows. Once homeless no one has responsibility to support you and a life on the street is your only prospect. So the life of in work poverty continues.

This is the reality for many people and the numbers in this situation is growing.

For those in work poverty help is limited, after all they are the unseen. From the outside they’re working often longer hours, they smile each day and give a cheery hello but beneath the facade, the biggest struggle happens every day. Sometimes, it feels that life is too hard and hope is lost no matter how hard you try.

While Christmas is a time of celebration, take time to think about those not only visible and insight that need support but those hidden from obvious view, those in work poverty. We are all just one or two steps away from hitting rock bottom.

Lets hope for some miracles this Christmas because this is Dickens in the modern age!

Something needs to change so that all hope is not lost.

The world of the homeless!

The world of the homeless!

Homelessness hits anyone! We are all just a step or two away from being homeless and being homeless is a life of despair. “Oh don’t give them money they’ll only spend it on drink and/or drugs” I’ve heard people say. My question to those is:

“How would you cope living the life that they do, is it any wonder these are the things they turn to? Whatever happened to being one community, where has caring about one another gone?”

Recently, I’ve been inspired by the work of the Charities and Community Organisations who go out and support those who face the greatest challenges and the greatest stigma. As a society, we’ve moved on with technology, ideas, housing, employment but in many areas life moves more slowly and for the homeless its almost Dickensian!

Albert Einstein said: “The world is a dangerous place, not because of those who do evil, but because of those who look on and do nothing.”

How many of us can truly say that when we spot a homeless person, we stop, talk, give help or smile? These things mean so much to those who live their life on the streets. It’s the small things each one of us takes for granted that means so much. My children always say that a trip out with me takes longer because they know that I’ll stop and talk to every homeless person I meet. Every story makes me feel sad. Sad that they have no-one, sad that their life seems hopeless to them. What makes me the saddest is my fellow citizens walking past, no words, no kindness, as if they are diseased!

We need to make a change. A change for the homeless, a change for ourselves. A change to the way society views those who are homeless. An understanding that those who are homeless will probably turn in desperation to alcohol and drugs because their lives are in utter despair.

We need to get the policy makers to change the way they can be housed. If councils can house the homeless in the cold weather, why can’t they house them all year round? What’s the barriers?

To those out there supporting and helping the homeless in whatever way they can, I commend you. I hope that everyone will at the very least support you and donate to you, even if they feel they cannot do anything themselves.

“We make a living by what we get but we make a life by what we give” WINSTON CHURCHILL

All the wonderful people looking after the homeless are making a real difference to lives. A homeless person is part of a family, our community.

In the words of a song: “Reach out and touch somebody’s hand, make this world a better place, if you can.”

We may never end homelessness but we can all do our bit no matter how big or small. After all a smile or hello or conversation costs you nothing but a small amount of your time!

The world of the homeless!

Networking – What is it really all about?

Networking – What is it really all about?

Is networking meeting up once a month for an enjoyable round of coffee (and cake) and telling those present about what you do?

While this is enjoyable and its nice to know about other businesses and what they do and a great way to meet people, if you’re really serious about your business, is it really going to be of benefit? can you clearly state tangible outcomes for your business?

Is networking about going along to ‘networking’ clubs or meet ups where you pay to meet people, exchange business cards and find out about what other people are doing?

Another enjoyable past time. It can be a great way to begin real networking because in finding out what people actually do, you can work out how they can work, help or buy from you and how you can reciprocate that back. this may not be the same either way. However, are you really going to be able to do that at that particular busy event? In my experience – not. What’s needed is further communication between both parties by phone, email and a meet up! It takes time to properly understand what others do and who they are!

Is networking about paying to join a networking club?

Investing in your business is essential for success anyone who doesn’t invest is nuts! However, look at what’s being offered. Yes, meeting high powered business people is great but ask yourself how are they going to do business with you and be realistic! If they’re not, can you learn from them? What do you need or want to learn from them? What is the networking club offering? Meet ups, opportunities to meet people? While both of these are great, we’ve already seen that networking is so much more!

Is networking being given the opportunity to meet business experts?

Meeting experts, hearing their story and understanding what they’ve done to get where they are is positive. However, are they going to give you practical and tangible tips and advice that can really help you in your business? If not then going to an event where they’re speaking is of no more use to you and your business but is just as pleasurable as seeing your favourite band or show!

Is networking exhibiting at a business event or show?

It could be the start of networking. However, like many of the above you’re not going to have a meaningful conversation at the event. This is merely an opportunity for an introduction! What you do after will determine what happens next! The host of the show should be able to give tangible examples of how exhibiting at their event has helped other businesses. Some organisers will say “all our exhibitors said that the event really helped them” or “all the exhibitors and visitors rated the event 9/10”. My own response is “that’s nice”. I want to know how exhibiting actually improved them or their business! A response like “3 businesses gained 4 more customers/business referrals” is tangible. This might persuade me to exhibit.

What is a network?

1. Connect as or operate with a network
2. Interact with others to exchange information and develop professional or social contacts

I have been to many business events. I’ve made lots of professional contacts. Through these I’ve worked with professionals, referred others to them (increasing their business), bought products and services from them (increasing their business), invited them to business meet ups that I know will help them in aspects of their business (which could potentially increase their business).

In turn they’ve done the same! For me that’s true networking! Ongoing communication and working with people in this way, is the one thing that will build lasting relationships and trust. Remember, communication is much more than just talking to one another!

Don’t underestimate the importance of the social element of networking but keep a balance and don’t make it the main or only part!

If you do join a business networking club, look carefully at what’s being offered! It has to be value for money, you have to understand and clarify and quantify exactly what’s on offer to you and your business! Look at your planned KPI’s (Key Performance Indicator’s) in your Business Plan for the year ahead. Being a member has to be more than, meet ups, listening to speakers and business experts. What’s on offer has to be tangible and measurable to you and your business otherwise why bother? Ask yourself, what will be different in my business a year after joining this business club? If its I’ll have had great nights out and met lots of people, is that important to you?

Networking clubs are all different and costs vary. Look and shop around to find one that’s really going to help you. Those organising networking clubs should teach you about best practices in business. The do’s and don’t’s in business. They will have the best overview of their members and they will know who to link together and more importantly the why they should!

Networking clubs should actively encourage their members to do business together, they should make the introductions and could even organise member meet ups. Networking clubs should find out at the beginning what you need and understand why you need it. They should make that your KPI (Key Performance Indicator) their business KPI for the year ahead! If you need grants or loans they should not only tell you but should be able to directly or indirectly help you to apply.

I’ve often wondered why we pay membership to business clubs and then pay a meeting cost in addition? With other clubs you pay an annual fee and group meets are free to members! Special events might include a reduced cost for members. A well planned business of any kind knows what its annual costs are likely to be and should be able to forecast the annual income needed and understand how many customers/members they need and how much to charge them to cover it all.

Networking – What is it really all about? It’s about considering a lot of factors and its about being serious in your business!

When passion alone just isn’t enough!

When passion alone just isn’t enough!

Whether it be a business idea, a charity idea or a great community initiative or project, it all starts with your passion. If you don’t have a passion for what you do or want to do then there is no point. Is passion alone enough?

I recently saw a sign which said “When you have passion, success will follow”. Is this true?

Recently I’ve seen people embarking on things they are passionate about. They ooze enthusiasm, they want their work to be successful. They hold on tight to what they do and try and find others that share their idea or passion. However, for some this is a fruitless task because instead of finding the right people for the task, they find people who want to support them.

We all need people to support what we’re trying to achieve but we also need people who can do the job. For example we might want to set up an organisation/business to help ex fishermen but you wouldn’t only involve ex fishermen because they might not all have the right skills.

Those starting a new venture or widening an initiative might seek advice. On the surface they’ll say, “I want advice” but when its given the response is “I have no time to change things” or “We’ve always done it this way”.

What they fail to realise is that no one person can know it all. I’ve learnt this over the years. What they need is to take advice from those who have expertise. If they want success then they’ll make time! If they want success they’ll think about change and act on it!

You ask about an action or business plan! – Then you find out that there isn’t one! They believe that they can run something successful without one? Really? They also believe that they will get funding, donations and build working relationships without one? Really? The reality is they aren’t! No one is going to give money to someone with passion but no plan. I’ve even heard someone say “I can get someone to write a business plan overnight”. Seriously? Anyone with experience will see it and not support it!

Everything good in life starts with passion but without taking the appropriate advice from those who know, without the right team behind you and in the absence of a well thought out plan in advance, passion alone just isn’t enough!