Friday 28 September 2012

Know your leadership and management style

This week, I have been on a course! The subject matter was personality profiling and it was a fantastic course and insight that has developed my skills further to allow me to help business owners know more about their leadership and management style.

Our research shows us that the entrepreneurs that know more about themselves and how they can get the best from their team, usually see the best results.
It is however sometime the last focus of an entrepreneur, as they have other things to focus on such as marketing, finance, operations and to be honest most entrepreneurs consider themselves as good leaders and managers because they own the business.

My company use DISC (Dominance, Influence, Steadiness, Compliance) profiling to help our clients understand the leaders strengths, style and compatibility with others.

If you are an employer, then we can also help you recruit, retain, develop and manage your people. We can provide you with an insight into your team, so you know, what motivates them, what are their core strengths and limitations, and what is their potential.

We work with clients that have improved their recruitment and retention of staff simply focusing on the profile of the ideal team member for the role advertised.

Tuesday 25 September 2012

The Oxford Marketing Conference

Since 2009, A1 Marketing have organised the Oxford Marketing Conference and this years event will take place on Tuesday 16th October.

If you are within easy travelling distance of Oxford, then this is a great opportunity to listen to a range of expert speakers for both online and offline marketing, plus participate in some short marketing focused activiities.

So if you work in marketing or are responsible for marketing your business, then why not come and join us on the 16th in Oxford.

For more information, please see www.oxfordmarketingconference.co.uk

Friday 21 September 2012

Why a DVD?

Earlier this year we launched a Business Start Up Guide on DVD.
So why a DVD?
Working with many start up business owners every year, we met many that had no inclination to read a book, of which there are so many.
We were also told that many of the books covered too much detail for the initial start up period and therefore we chose our content to be the 'must know' guide covering the foundations and initial considerations for all new business owners.
www.startyourownbusinessdvd.co.uk

Wednesday 19 September 2012

Is your LinkedIn profile forgettable?

LinkedIn can be a great social media tool for many businesses.
But if you are going to have a presence on this platform, then please ensure that it is not forgettable. Here are my 10 key tips to ensure that you develop your basic profile and create a reason to attract someone viewing your profile.

  1. Photo: Ensure you have one and it represents you and your business, not the last time you were out with friends, unless of course that is your business!
  2. Headline: More than just your job title. What do you do to help your customers?
  3. Websites: Ensure they are personalised and not just 'My company website'
  4. Skills and expertise: Complete covering all your skills listed using key words your prospective customer or contact may be searching for.
  5. Status updates: Ensure you have status updates and appear active, but please ensure they are not simply self promotional.
  6. Recommendations: Obtain recommendations, as much more effective someone else saying how good you are.
  7. Summary: Include a description of your current role and how you are solving your customers problems.
  8. Interests: An opportunity to show your personal touch and not just business focused or boring.
  9. Groups: Demonstrates your interest in your sector or skill area.
  10. Connections: Link up with people from day one

Saturday 1 September 2012

Limited Companies and the Responsibilities of Directors

We are surprised by the number of people who establish limited companies because they are aware of the limited liability factor or the tax benefits, but do not know anything more about their responsibilities as a Director.
Please visit the companies house website and read more about this knowledge all directors should have.