January 27th 5:30-7:30 pm
Well, plans are already underway for our next INfusion event. Check out the awesome flyer for the details (thanks Wendy Crumpler www.maxart.com and Duane B for the photos www.duaneburnett.com!). Special thanks to Dale at the Lighthouse Pub for agreeing to host the Mixer at Magellan’s. I wanted someplace funky, different – and Magellan’s will be perfect. Sincerely, it’s not even so much about the next “event” as it is about continuing to build momentum behind INfusion and what it could mean to your business… and to the Coast. IF you were part of the INfusion Business Forum on November 30th then you probably get that comment – if you weren’t then I’ll explain…
I believe there are certain systems on the Coast that could be holding us back from growing our businesses – and by growing I mean stronger, not necessarily bigger:
- First and foremost – our perception could definitely be holding us back… and that’s what the INfusion Forum was all about;
- Secondly, our reluctance to work together in an effective way, collaborate, form strategic partnerships;
- Thirdly, our lack of expertise (and time!) in certain areas and inability to tap into the resources available to get what we need (especially help with marketing & business development);
- And lastly, being so busy working ‘in’ our business and not having enough time to work ‘on’ our business so we keep going around and around… and around on the same hampster-wheel rather than accessing opportunities that are out there – creatively, energetically & enthusiastically.
Here’s what I’ve learned in the past 40 years… and definitely in the past 5. IF a system ain’t working – then change it. Stop doing what’s not working and focus on doing what is.
On January 27th, we’re starting with media as many people mentioned the inability to attract new customers or frustration that people ‘don’t even know I exist’. We’re hoping to work together with local media experts to create in INfusion branded campaign that offers you the ability to do co-op advertising – grouping complimentary businesses together that make sense. In this way, you share media costs (newspaper, magazine, radio/television or social media), bring the price down and start to work together as a little team. Okay, I call it ‘cluster’ but that’s just because it’s a buzz word that is out there right now.
Perhaps then your little team or cluster starts to work together in other smart ways… like hosting an event together – creating a reason for people to come into your business, instead of a ‘pub crawl’ do a ‘shop crawl or eats & treats crawl’. The idea is to START TALKING WITH OTHER BUSINESSES, work together to bring costs down and strategize about how to make 2010 one rockin’ year for business on the Sunshine Coast.
And the goal of INfusion is to help facilitate that! Or, you can look at it as “just another event you really don’t have time to go to” … but then that would be silly – ’cause it’s SO much more! Welcoming business owners & managers, entrepreneurs, enterprising non profits and social enterprises – See you there!
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Charlene is a Creative Catalyst for Positive Change who enjoys bringing an entrepreneurial edge to social change. Charlene’s business experience in the financial services industry, law, accounting, and as an entrepreneur have given her a unique, well-rounded perspective from which to work with clients she enjoys and projects she is passionate about. Born and raised on the Canada’s West Coast, Charlene enjoys projects grounded in tourism and community economic development especially where collaboration and innovation are present. Her extensive network and strong relationships allow her to manage quality, unforgettable experiences, events and excursions that Distinctly West Coast is quickly becoming known.
