Reblogged from :

In today’s busy world  it seems that events control us as opposed to us controlling events.If you feel that way, here are 5 ways to start taking control and help you shift into more positive thinking patterns. …

Positive mental attitude works every time for me!

As a Sussex Business Consultant I travel around to many networking events, some as a member, some as a guest  and some which are a splendid mix of business and social.

One such networking group is the Business Builder Club which takes place in Horsham once a month……..SHHH. don’t tell anyone though as they may want to attend!

As an experienced writer and business author, my expert articles are regularly featured in the regional Sussex and local media and on various online business websites. This is a fantastic compliment to my work and I love sharing my knowledge with every reader.

So as a member of the Business Builder Club  I was delighted to be invited as a regular online contributor to their website. Thanks guys. Have a look  here and  why not join me at the next event to share in the best Business Social in town.

Watch this space for more top tips too!.

Need focussed and insightful business advice, then contact me at Janette Whitney & Associates

Thankyou for reading my website blog throughout 2011 and I look forward to spending time with you in 2012.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!.

Here’s an excerpt:

A San Francisco cable car holds 60 people. This blog was viewed about 2,100 times in 2011. If it were a cable car, it would take about 35 trips to carry that many people.

Click here to see the complete report.

Blogging can increase your sales

Do you sometimes get stuck for something to write on your blog?

Me too.

I had an interesting and informative morning at dawn brewers excellent blog posts action class  today. Came away with a very useful action checklist for every blog post I write. This will encourage me to blog more often which coupled with the various social media platforms ( Twitter, Facebook etc) will make my online presence more complete.

Of course online marketing  should be one part of your overall marketing strategy . Consider  your Outbound Marketing ( also known as offline marketing) and your Inbound Marketing (also known as online marketing) as two sides of the same coin- both are needed to deliver the maximum business results.

A cohesive marketing strategy properly implemented will achieve more sales for your business and hence improve your bottom line profits.

Want to know more about writing for the web then hop over to see dawn.

Want to increase your sales with a dynamic marketing strategy? then contact me at Janette Whitney & Associates.

Networking online

There is an increasing choice of places to network online, so what are the 4 keys to benefiting from online networks?.

• Build Profile  -  online networking is about YOU not the business, so mix personal information with business and remember to include a photo. People do business with people and many will want to know who you are, especially if the product or service you provide is significant to their business. Be clear about what you can offer to others and equally clear about what you need as you never know who will be able to help you.

• Generate Content –  Some sites allow you to add blogs and articles directly and to comment on others blogs. All sites will allow you to link to a blog or article that you have placed elsewhere on the web. Use them to demonstrate an understanding of your subject and to show the expertise that you and your company can bring to it

• Build a network –   it should be obvious to all that networking is about connecting with people, though there are many who seem not to understand that. If you connect directly with many people then have at least one online conversation with them to explore areas of common interest. If there is nothing immediate, don’t discard the connection, develop it over time and build the relationship on a personal level. It is not just about business. Remember that you are building advocates, sounding boards and friends- not necessarily customers.

• Whilst our network is not our prospect base, be open to doing business where it is possible to do so. Be tuned in to the needs that are being broadcast by others, help others selflessly and gain a reputation as someone who ‘knows how’ and ‘knows who’. Explore collaborations with others where there is a basis to do so.

Networking is not an ‘all or nothing’ approach. Networking for business has a cost and can bring a return – but the return may take time to appear. Take your time to find the right mix for you.

Want to know more about online networking?

 Then follow me on twitter   or linked in or contact me at Janette Whitney & Associates

Minimum Wage

Entitlement to the NMW does not depend on a job title but on whether the arrangement they have with an organisation makes them a worker for NMW purposes. Where an individual is a worker – and no exemption applies – then they must be paid at least the NMW

The full version of the guidance can be found here – www.businesslink.gov.uk/nmw

Anyone who feels they have had their National Minimum Wage rights abused is encouraged to contact the Pay and Work Rights helpline on 0800 917 2368 for free and confidential advice.

From 1st october 2011, new National Minimum Wage (NMW) rates will come into force. The NMW applies to nearly all workers in England, Scotland & Wales and sets hourly rates below which you must not allow pay to fall.

For pay reference periods beginning on or after 1st October 2011, you will have to pay all eligible workers the following:

• £6.08 an hour to Adult workers aged 21 and above
• £4.98 an hour to workers aged 18-20
• £3.68 an hour to workers aged 16-17
• £2.60 an hour to Apprentices

The daily accomodation offset.

You will be able to offset from the NMW an amount of £4.73 per day for each day that you provide a worker with living accomodation.

For professional & impartial Business advice contact Janette Whitney at Award Winning Business Consultants, Janette Whitney & Associates on 01403 733671 or email jw@whitneyassocs.co.uk

Are you ready?

The London-Surrey Cycle Classic test event

The Olympic Cycle race test event will be held on the Sunday 14^th August 2011 – just over 4 weeks time – will your business be affected? Click here to view a map of the route.

The London-Surrey Cycle Classic test event being held on Sunday 14th August as part of LOCOG’s comprehensive sports testing programme. In order to deliver this exciting event there will be road closures and parking suspensions click here for more detailed information along the route within London and Surrey. Arrangements will be made to minimise disruption for local residents and businesses. The test event will provide an opportunity for you to consider how your business may be effected and the potential impacts during the Olympic event on the 28th and 29th July 2012.

Think and plan ahead, what will you be doing to ensure that you don’t lose out on valuable business during the local olympic event?

More importantly how can you capitalise on the extra potential sales of your products and services with the vastly increased numbers of potential cusromers right on your doorstep.

For professional & independant business advice contact  Janette Whitney at Award Winning Business Consultants, Janette Whitney & Associates on 01403 733671 or email jw@whitneyassocs.co.uk.  

Relax........

1. Exercise-  It may be the last thing you feel like doing when you are stressed, but it really does help. As well as producing endorphins, the body’s ‘happy hormones’, it uses up stress hormones and helps relax tense muscles.
2. Balance your life- Stress often comes from being emotionally invested in one thing, so try to balance your life- family, friends, work, hobbies etc. Think about what makes you really happy and challenge yourself to build on the areas that need work.
3. Take care of yourself- As well as being physically exhausting, stress can temporarily weaken your immune system. Try to eat a healthy balanced diet rich in fruit and vegetables and resist ‘bad’ food cravings – thats NO Chocolate!
4. Change your thinking-  A good way to cope with stress is to replace negative thoughts with positive ones. This is part of cognitive behavioural therapy. For example instead of thinking ‘I’m worthless’ think ‘I’m a good person’. 
5. Let go of things- Instead of tolerating the things that cause you stress, confront them. If your messy office is driving you crazy, tidy it up!. Challenging yourself often feels risky, but it may also give you an opportunity to grow.

So RELAX ……..THINK HAPPY THOUGHTS ………. AND LEARN TO SAY ‘NO’,

 so you don’t take on more than you can handle.

If you are more concerned about the health of your business than your own state of mind then consider my Business Health Check - a 2 hour impartial  and professional review of your business.

For professional & independant business advice contact  Janette Whitney at Award Winning Business Consultants, Janette Whitney & Associates on 01403 733671 or email jw@whitneyassocs.co.uk.  

Minimum Wage

From 1st october 2011, new National Minimum Wage (NMW) rates will come into force. The NMW applies to nearly all workers in England, Scotland & Wales and sets hourly rates below which you must not allow pay to fall.

For pay reference periods beginning on or after 1st October 2011, you will have to pay all eligible workers the following:

• £6.08 an hour to Adult workers aged 21 and above
• £4.98 an hour to workers aged 18-20
• £3.68 an hour to workers aged 16-17
• £2.60 an hour to Apprentices

The daily accomodation offset.

You will be able to offset from the NMW an amount of £4.73 per day for each day that you provide a worker with living accomodation.

What happens if workers are underpaid?

Employers who do not pay the correct minimum wage will be issued with an fine of up to max £5000. You will have to pay this even if the underpayment was a mistake !

The most serious cases could be subject to an unlimited fine.

HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) are responsible for enforcing the law on the national minimum wage and they will follow up complaints from workers and other sources.

For professional & impartial Business advice contact Janette Whitney at Award Winning Business Consultants, Janette Whitney & Associates on 01403 733671 or email jw@whitneyassocs.co.uk

To all fellow networkers:

He who laughs last, thinks slowest.