Thursday 31 May 2012

Novalis Ubuntu Business Network

We have a great speaker for our Novalis Ubuntu Network Meeting on the 19th June .
Ronald Bownes is the founding director of an NGO, DreamWorker, that helps unemployed people find work. His talk will center around how DreamWorker is tackling the unemployment challenge in South Africa and how they use there Dream Diamond model of purpose, dream, creativity and contribution to inspire all unemployed people to recognize their magnificence within.

There will be a 15min Q&A Forum. If you have a problem or solution that you would like to share, this is your space.

There will be the quick 5 minute talk by one of our members. This space is still open, please email me if you want to speak.

This months prize give away is from Daniella.

Please let me know if you are attending for seating and refreshment purposes. We will be serving tea, coffee and wine and a snack (soup, in this weather). The meeting starts at 5:30 for 6pm .At the Novalis Ubuntu Institute, 39 Rosmead Ave, Wynberg. Between the Swimming pool & the Fire Station. The cost is R40 per person attending.

Remember to please bring along a friend.



https://www.facebook.com/pages/Novalis-Ubuntu-Business-Network/380492338669466

Tuesday 29 May 2012

An awesome networking evening awaits you at SORISO on the 8th June 2012


10 days and counting…
Tickets have been booked and Tables reserved! J

If you have not booked; don’t delay, avoid disappointment and book today!
An awesome networking evening awaits you at SORISO on the 8th June 2012.

THANK YOU SO MUCH TO MARLENE VAN DYK WHO WILL BE ENTERTAINING US!


A HUGE THANK YOU FOR OUR FREEBIES:
Associate magazines for both the FREE Oprah and Cosmopolitan magazines PER PERSON
Amazing Vouchers for the FREE R3000 vouchers PER PERSON
Britos for the FREE biltong for everyone
Nadia Fashionista for the FREE FIRST CONSULTATION voucher PER PERSON
Marda Hull from Indigo for the DISCOUNT VOUCHER towards the Life Activation workshop for everyone
eeZee werbsites for the DISCOUNT VOUCHER for everyone
dbSupplements for the DISCOUNT VOUCHER for everyone


A HUGE THANK YOU FOR OUR SPONSORED PRIZES:
PnP
Limnos
Avroy Schlain
Honey
Bartin’s Stationery
Life Activation Workshop
The Business Click
eeZee websites
De Oude Westhof Wines


Seats are limited and need to be booked asap. Payment needs to be made by 1st June 2012 latest.
For more details, email admin@thebusinessclick.co.za

The Power of LinkedIn


Thursday, June 7, 2012
8:00am until 11:00am
The Power of LinkedIn is often overlooked by professionals who see it as a type of CV, to be used when looking for a new opportunity in business of a new job. This is only ONE SMALL part of LinkedIn - it's a full professional social network with the possibility of generating new leads and business through the use of it's many features such as events, groups, answers and polls. Our Guestspeaker Retha van Staden, a Xtraordinary Women member, would love to tell you more about this amazing tool and how you can use it's power in your own business! It starts with a complete profile...

About our guest speaker

Retha is a born networker, she has a passion for small businesses as she understands the challenges entrepreneurs face every day. Her business, Solutionetics, focus on helping entrepreneurs make sense of the minefiled of social media and online marketing, creating tailor-made strategies and campaigns while keeping an eye on the goal - to help them establish their brand, gain more customers and make more money!

She is a communications strategist who can research and critique your current online presence, providing you with improvement ideas and plans and create customized online and networking strategies WITH you, as well as show you how to implement these using strategic but practical action plans. This all while focussing on the measuring of what works for you and your business!

>>>> BOOK HERE: http://www.xtraordinarywomen.co.za/events/event-calendar?task=view_event&event_id=7 <<<<

Venue: Erinvale Clubhouse, Erinvale Estate
Event date: 7 June
RSVP & Payments: 4 June @ 12:00
Registration: 08:00 Tea/Coffee on arrival
Time: 08:30 - 11:00
Investment: R150 via EFT or R170 if cash paid into account to cover cash deposit fee - no cash payments to be made at the door.

Members: R120.00

A light snack will be served followed by Information Session and Networking.

Please e-mail us on Events@XtraordinaryWomen.co.za for any booking queries

Follow on Twitter:
@XOrdinaryWomen
@BettinaHorvath
#XWIBSW

>>>> BOOK HERE: http://www.xtraordinarywomen.co.za/events/event-calendar?task=view_event&event_id=7 <<<<

Sunday 27 May 2012

Breakfast Club @ Avontuur in June


Wednesday, June 13, 2012
8:30am until 10:00am
“Making the difficult decision..” with Marla Nortjé

Every day we are faced with making decisions in our professional and personal lives..

When you have to make a choice and don't make it, that is in itself a choice. ~William James

Marla has spent the last 10 years as a Business Analyst, where making decisions that affect the operations of a business forms part of her daily life. Being clear about your goals and understanding the decision making process and it’s consequences is of cardinal importance when running a business.

If you would like to know more about..
1. Seeing the big picture
2. Understand your own internal decision making process..
3. Facts vs. Gut Feel
4. Trouble Shooting vs. Decision Making
5. Group vs. Individual Decisions
6. Decision making tools..

.. this breakfast is for you.

Marla now owns ShowMe Helderberg, a Community Website with the motto “Your World in One Place” You can visit this community at www.showme.co.za/helderberg

Tuesday 15 May 2012

20th XING Live Networking Event in Johannesburg


Thursday, May 24, 2012
6:00pm
Sandton Sun Hotel, Sandton City 6th Floor, Johannesburg
Hello!

You are cordially invited to attend our 20th XING Live Networking Event in Johannesburg.

Everyone is cordially invited to attend our event in Johannesburg. Guests, friends and business partners are welcome.

For the guest list and for future invitations we need name, position, business name and (!) the e-mail address of you and your guests.

Date of event: Thursday, 24. May 2012 - 18:00h for 18:30h

Location / Venue:

Sandton Sun Hotel
Sandton City
6th Floor
San Deck (outside area)

Fee: none

Program:

18:00 Arrival of participants

18:30 Welcome and brief presentation of the XING Johannesburg Network by Katja Venter

19:05 Presentation Guest speaker

19:20 Networking

End of venue 22.00

A mandatory registration for this event is absolutely necessary. Register online at XING or via email to welcome@social-network.co.za.

Best regards

Katja Venter - katja@intergate-immigration.com
Claus Lauter - claus@intergate-immigration.com

--------
Follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/xingsocial

Or visit us on:

XING Johannesburg - http://www.xing.com/net/pri574466x/joburg-forum/
XING Cape Town - http://www.xing.com/net/forum-kapstadt/
XING Durban - http://www.xing.com/net/pri574466x/durban-network/
South Africa Social & Business Network, Cape Town, Johannesburg, Durban - http://www.social-network.co.za/

Monday 14 May 2012

Isilon 'Big Data' Breakfast


Tuesday, May 15, 2012 - 10:00am
At EMC Isilon, our mission is to enable you, our customer to turn big data into an unprecedented opportunity. Today, the challenge to effectively aggregate, store and leverage information into real-time insight has never been greater, but neither has the opportunity to maximize your data value. And that’s where EMC Isilon comes in.

Isilon's Innovative Scale-out NAS Solutions

Isilon's innovative, fifth-generation storage solutions speed access to critical business information, offering an efficient, easy-to-manage storage infrastructure that reduces capital and operational expenditures while allowing you to seamlessly grow your storage as you grow your business.

Register to attend the ISILON breakfast event in Johannesburg on 15th of May 2012

http://www.touchvision.co.za/workflow-and-media-management/isilon-system...

Australia South Africa Business Association (ASABA), Networking lunch Wednesday 20th June 2012: South African Infrastructure Development Implications for mining, minerals processing and economic growth


ASABA is pleased to announce that its second networking lunch will take place at Sydney’s The Four Seasons Hotel on the Park on Wednesday, June 20th 2012. The lunch will feature a discussion on a subject that is critical to our resource based economies. The economic fortunes of both Australia and South Africa are underwritten by the mining and export of commodities such as iron ore and coal. However, in both countries the contribution of resource booms is constrained by the capacity of supporting infrastructure – power generators, rail links, roads, export terminals and ports. Both countries have had to urgently address infrastructure backlogs.


We are delighted to have two expert speakers to lead a discussion and exchange of ideas on this critical issue, Dr Stephen Labson, Managing Director, slEconomics, and Robert Milbourne, Partner, Norton Rose, both of whom have extensive experience working in the resource and infrastructure sectors in Australia and South Africa. 


Beyond what promises to be a lively and informative discussion, the lunch is an opportunity to meet and talk with like minded people with common business interests in Australia and South Africa. At ASABA we are committed to making our networking events both enjoyable and productive, providing forums for making new contacts and exchanging ideas in a relaxed and trusted environment. The lunch will be attended by senior business leaders. We look forward to seeing you there. 


Contact: katrina@innovationgroup.com.au for more information and bookings

Sunday 13 May 2012

Business meets the City of Cape Town


Topic: A long-term vision for Cape Town

Date: 15 May 2012
Time: 08:30 – !4:00
Venue:Southern Sun, Cape Sun Hotel, Cape Town
Cost: R400 members / R550 non-members (vat incl.)

To book contact Denise Kolbe on 021 402 4300 or email denise@capechamber.co.za

The Cape Chamber of Commerce in association with ABSA is proud to host its annual symposium “Business meets the City of Cape Town”
The Honourable Mayor of Cape Town, Alderman Patricia de Lille, members of the Mayoral Committee and Executive Management, will provide relevant information
and be available for questioning on their presentation about the Long-term Vision for Cape Town. Members of business will have an opportunity to respond to this
presentation in an interactive question and answer session, as well as to openly debate with stakeholders who have a vested interest in the Western Cape’s future.

Saturday 12 May 2012

CAPE TOWN – FREE SME BRIEFING – FUNDING & FINANCE


This year, we have also teamed up with the IPlex in Cape Town to bring these free SME briefings to the city. Our power packed SME briefings provide insights, support and opportunities to accelerate your business. These briefings will be held at the IPlex, Searle Street, Cape Town. 

   1.  Start & Build a Successful Business

Each year, thousands of people start a business. Each year, thousands are closing their business. What does it take to start and build a successful business – one that will be around in 5, 10, 20 years time?  What is the entrepreneurial mindset?  And how do you navigate the minefield, whether you are a start up or established business.

   2.  Funding

Many entrepreneurs struggle to secure funding in SA. Where do you look?  Are there hidden opportunities for funding?  Get the low down on funding institutions, applications, opportunities & challenges in 2012.  You will benefit from this briefing, whether you are seeking R 10 000 or R 10 million.

   3. Finance 

So you want to start and build a billion rand empire?  But you don’t know the language of business?  Without a proper appreciation of finance, you won’t go far. Get up to speed on managing the financial side in your business. Understand the key financial issues and the story behind the numbers. So that you can have an intelligent conversation with funders & other parties in future.

   PLUS

At EVERY briefing, you get access to:

1.  Guest Speakers  / Subject matter experts

2. Resources for your Business

3. Opportunities to market your product/services

4.Speed SME Networking

5. Hands on SME challenges & experiences

Please note that the above topics are subject to change without notice. Each briefing is customised to maximise the benefit for those attending on the day. Resources & Opportunities are only made available to those that have registered and attended the briefing. If you miss the free SME briefing where a particular topic was covered, your next opportunity will be in 2013.  Due to venue constraints, limited seating is available and you must pre-register below to attend the briefing.

REGISTER FOR THE NEXT CAPE TOWN BRIEFING – 5 JUNE

LIMITED SEATS, REGISTER TODAY

Friday 11 May 2012

Accessing Finance


Accessing Finance  
by
Represetative of ABSA Bank
Whether you are a start up or establsihed small businness thats ready to grow - this is a perennial issue. ABSA Bank's represetative will be with us to guide and assist
Details as usual
Date:  Thursday 17 May

Time: 7:15am - 9:00am

Place: Central Library, cor Darling & Parade Street,Cape Town

Cost: R15:00 payable on entrance

RSVP: Phone 021 467 1542 or SMS to 083 515 4403 (giving your name and number of persons coming) or email to

Networking: Making Strong Connections


Networking: Making Strong Connections

By Linda Germishuizen
(MA Clin Psych) Executive, Career and Life Coach

When you have your own business you need to be alert to clues the whole time: these could be about new products, new needs or new markets. Expanding your network of contacts is one of the key building blocks to a successful business. A network provides support, opens doors to experts or trusted advisors and most importantly to new business opportunities.

The word “network” makes some people freeze! The important point to remember though is that other people are just strangers, so if you somehow “fail” to connect with them, they will be unaware of the situation. Only you will be. So there is little to lose!

Firstly, you need to be patient and take time to build up solid connections. Networking is not about getting to know as many people as you can and just “using” them. These day’s people are becoming more sensitive to the nature of their relationships.

They can sense when someone is not being genuine and trying to “butter them up” to sign a deal or to obtain information. If you want to stay in business in the long term, your focus needs to be on developing long term, lasting relationships. Rudy Giuliani (ex-Mayor of New York) appointed people whom he had met many years earlier, in key positions. He had known people for years and had experience of their competence as well as their values i.e. were they trustworthy?

So the question you now ask is: “How do I go about expanding my network?”
You need to be patient and take time to build up a solid network. How do you start?
  1. Remember people: Clearly you need to remember the names of your new contacts. Following this you need to register details e.g. what are their passions, their interests, what did they talk about that you noted?
  2. Make yourself memorable: Look for ways in which you can refresh your contacts, do small favours or offer help. Stay in touch either through calls or emails.
There are also certain character traits you need to develop:
  1. Courage: smile when with strangers, greet in a friendly and natural way and introduce yourself. Find some way of making contact.
  2. Curiosity: have the attitude that you can learn something from every person you meet. So ask questions, listen carefully and be interested in what they are sharing.
  3. Enthusiasm: show that you are fully present and giving them your full attention. After a while make sure though that you move around and meet other people as well, as opposed to sticking to one person. You can either excuse yourself, or introduce the person you are chatting to, to someone else.
  4. Being authentic: be “real” and yourself in the way you communicate. People are looking for “genuine” interactions, not relationships that are filled with bravado, ego and masks of superiority. The world is slowly shifting to relating human to human not pretense to pretense. 

    At some time during the interaction, make a mental note or two about the person to whom you chatted. You may even want to write a few lines in a small notebook or on the back of the business card they gave you. This will help you remember some of the details of your conversation for future reference. Get to know your new contacts better through looking for ways to meet again. Pass useful information or names of people you know on to your “new” contact.

    Just a last point – get to know people in each decade i.e. kids under 10, teenagers, young people in the 20s, the 30 somethings, the 40 plus, etc, all the way up to 80 plus. This way you will stay in touch with what is relevant in each phase of life. You will be amazed at what unexpected gifts you will receive in this way!