NSW Small Business Month — March 1-31, 2022
The theme for Small Business Month 2022 is ‘Rebuild – Recharge – Renew’.
In this year’s program, you’ll learn new skills and new ideas to help you navigate the road ahead and get the opportunity to connect and collaborate with other small business owners and operators.
There appears to be “thousands” of events and activities occurring all across New South Wales during Small Business Month 2022.
Junee Community Network have skimmed through the ever growing list of activities and provide a summary of some that we think local businesses and community groups may be interested participating in. We have also “spotlighted” a handful of sessions we think will be especially interesting, informative and educational!
There are sessions in the morning, at lunchtime and in the evening!
Some are online, others are at a physical location!
Most are free! but some have a nominal fee (but don’t let that discourage you from registering if the topic is of interest to you!)
Branding and Marketing, Using Technology, Managing Money and Growing Your Business are just some of the broad topics on offer!
There is SOMETHING for EVERY ONE!
We encourage you to attend at least TWO different sessions over the month — and seriously consider attending more!!!
In-Person Events
While the vast majority of activities occurring across New South Wales during Small Business Week — March 1-31, 2022, a number of “in-person” events are been conducted in many locations.
We’ve showcased a couple of events that are occurring in towns around Junee — hopefully you can attend one or two and expanded both your knowledge and networks.
March 9, 2022 — 7:30am to 10:00am
Branding and Marketing tends to take a back seat until a crisis is presented to us. However branding and marketing are most effective when they are consistently considered and regularly reviewed. They should not be a ‘set and forget’ activity for business.
Effective branding and marketing planning and implementation will help you thrive in your industry in any economy. Marketing is not rocket science, but there are a few key elements you must know about marketing your business.
Location: Temora Townhall Theatre, Loftus St, Temora, NSW 2666
Cost: $10
register for branding & marketing with vickie burkinshaw »
Recruiting and retaining a talented team with Vickie Burkinshaw
March 16, 2022 — 5:00pm to 7:30pm
The quality of the team you have around you is one of the best predictors you can have for the future success of your small business venture yet we don’t necessarily give it the attention it deserves.
There is a shortage of talent in Australia for all industries so investing in attracting and retaining the right talent for your team is even more important.
Topics Covered:
- What makes a good team
- How to undertake a skills audit for your business
- Effective employee branding
- Where to find potential
Location: Temora Townhall Theatre, Loftus St, Temora, NSW 2666
Cost: $10
register for recruiting and retaining a talented team with vickie burkinshaw »
Making the Most of Digital Technology, Make it Work For You
March 29, 2022 — 10:00am to 1:00pm
This workshop will cover:
- Check list of 101’s of online presence and how to address these
- The must do’s of Online Presence and Online Reputation
- Get seen in Google – Listing process and optimisation
- Get seen almost everywhere – ATDW listing process and optimisation
- Online Booking and tips to increase conversion.
Location: Agritech Incubator Building, 6 Charles Sturt University Campus, Wagga Wagga NSW 2650
Cost: $25.00
register for making the most of digital technology, make it work for you »
Branding & Marketing
Crafting Content
March 1, 2022 — 6:00pm to 8:00pm
Creating a consistent content plan is a vital way of standing out and attracting attention through social media. If your best post was 3 months ago, then you will be forgotten.
Having a plan and being strategic in the areas you focus on, will not only help you stand out it will help you position your brand as the go-to expert in the mind of your customers.
This workshop will explore the different types of content that can be effective in telling your story and marketing your brand from photos, to video or to written communication.
Location: Online
Cost: FREE
register for crafting content »
Advertising Online
March 2, 2022 — 12:00pm to 1:00pm
Google ads can help promote your business, raise awareness and increase traffic to your website by targeting people searching for a particular product or service. Learn what Google Ads are, how to use them in your business and the costs involved to get started.
Location: Online
Cost: FREE
register for advertising online »
March 2, 2022 — 11:00am to 12:00pm
Videos are more engaging than any other content medium and can help boost your conversion rates.
You don’t need to buy broadcast-quality hardware to create a professional video or appear your best on a live cam.
These easy-to-action tips will help you produce high-quality videos for your website, sales & marketing, coaching sessions, courses, webinars and client zoom calls.
Location: Online
Cost: FREE
register for how to make your videos look more professional »
Mastering your website for business success
March 7, 2022 — 10:00am to 11:30am
A website is your digital shop window to any business. It is often the first interaction a prospective customer might have with your business – and also the platform through which sales and transactions are made. Ensuring a website is set up and optimised is crucial to business success.
In this practical webinar, you’ll cover:
- How to make sure your website works and is a measurable role in your marketing strategy
- Choosing the right platform for you
- Planning what to include on your website
- How to measure website performance
- Case study to show the benefit of well-written, SEO-friendly, quality content and SEO optimisation
- Conversion Rate Optimisation and e-commerce tracking and optimisation
Location: Online
Cost: FREE
register for mastering your website for business success »
How to Make a Video with what you’ve got – practical tips, from the best
March 7, 2022 — 11:00am to 12:00pm
An introductory session on DIY video – covering everything from the all important prep, filming and editing tips, to story and script, interviewing technique, plus cut through elements, and dos and don’ts when creating your own video.
Join this session to learn the practical tips and tricks to produce a video that stands out and captures attention.
Location: Online
Cost: FREE
register for how to make a video with what you’ve got – practical tips, from the best »
Digital marketing masterclass
March 8, 2022 — 6:00pm to 8:00pm
Do you currently use social media for your business?
Are you ready to refine your skills on the social media platforms to get better results?
Digital Marketing Masterclass will teach you the secrets that the digital marketing industry use to gain results for their clients on each platform. Learn what tools they use which can either save you time or money in your own business.
This is not a beginner class. You must already understand one or all of the major platforms from Facebook, Snapchat, LinkedIn and Instagram. We will run through setting up paid media and learn tips and tricks to make them more effective
Location: Online
Cost: FREE
register for digital marketing masterclass »
Marketing for your business
March 9, 2022 — 10:00am to 12:00pm
This workshop will simplify the marketing process by breaking down and working through the 11 elements of an effective marketing plan. You will discover ways to successfully pivot, diversify and maintain your business momentum to meet changing consumer demand, create a new need, or expand your product or service offerings for growth.
You will discover ways to define and refine target markets to ensure maximum engagement and value for marketing dollars spent.
Location: Online
Cost: FREE
register for marketing for your business »
March 9, 2022 — 11:00am to 12:00pm
This course assumes you know nothing about digital marketing — It’s a complete beginners introduction to the terms and concepts of digital marketing.
Are you new to the online world?
Perhaps you are just starting up a new business or thinking about growing your hobby into something more?
To make money with your online venture, you need a steady stream of potential customers visiting your website.
There are many ways of digitally marketing your site to your niche and target audience.
Learn how!
Location: Online
Cost: FREE
register for digital marketing for beginners »
Branding and Strategic Communication — Creative thinking that drives business success
March 9, 2022 — 1:00pm to 2:00pm
The importance of creating a strategy to implement effective communication with your customers will be explained in this webinar by showcasing real work examples from ideas, strategic thinking to final implementation.
Location: Online
Cost: FREE
register for branding and strategic communication — creative thinking that drives business success »
Social media strategies
March 10, 2022 — 6:00pm to 8:00pm
Are you struggling with which social media platforms are best for your business?
Are you wasting too much time or money and not getting the results you desire?
Social Media Strategies will help you understand who your target customers are and which platforms to spend your valuable time on. This webinar is an interactive session which will assist you in creating your customer avatar and teach you how to market to them. You will learn tips that will help you become a more effective social media marketer which will save you time and money.
Location: Online
Cost: FREE
register for social media strategies »
Mums & Co online meetup for small business owning women
March 11, 2022 — 12:00pm to 1:00pm
Celebrating all the small business owning mothers across NSW
Inviting you to join Mums & Co in one of our first Member Meet Ups for the new year.
It’s a short catch up to say ‘hi’, introduce each other and share all that Mums & Co has to offer at every stage of business and motherhood.
You will connect with other women in business like you and learn some empowering tips on how to harmonise your ambition, livelihood and wellbeing.
Location: Online
Cost: FREE
register for mums & co online meetup for small business owning women »
Design on the go for business
March 14, 2022 — 10:00am to 12:00pm
Learn about the apps available to create good looking visuals
and video on the go, including
- Canva
- Animoto
- Layout
- Spark
Location: Online
Cost: FREE
register for design on the go for business »
March 14, 2022 — 12:00pm to 1:30pm
Podcasting could change your business! Everyday, more and more businesses are launching podcasts as a powerful way to reach a busy audience. Podcasting is an excellent way to build authority and expertise for your business.
Location: Online
Cost: $17
register for how to start a podcast »
Public Speaking for Professionals
March 16, 2022 — 12:00pm to 1:00pm
Is Public Speaking part of your role or business needs?
Do you need to find some tools for your tool kit to brush up on some of the challenges you face in your Public Speaking?
Or is Public Speaking one of your biggest fears and ANY tip would help?
The Public Speaking for Professionals Workshop is a program The Unleashed Collective has ran many times for a diverse range of cohorts. Our students are all prospective or business owners and are looking to fill the gaps in their Public Speaking skills, they are looking to face their challenges and to come out, a little more confident.
Come and join a very safe, fun and informative session on Public Speaking, ran by a trainer/assessor and mentor who has had years of public speaking exposure in different settings. You will be able to interact, try out some techniques, take home some new tricks and practice some ideas that will help improve your Public Speaking.
For those keen to keep the conversation going, a 2 week Public Speaking Challenge will follow FREE of charge – just to ensure that you put your new knowledge into practise immediately and to make sure that it all sticks, becoming second nature!
Location: Online
Cost: $49 includes a 2 week Public Speaking Challenge
register for public speaking for professionals »
Create a brand your customers will fall in love with
March 21, 2022 — 10:00am to 12:00pm
In the same manner that our individual personalities define us, your brand personality defines your business to the outside world. It’s everything that represents you, everything that you’re known and appreciated for. In this keynote, you’ll be taken through ten top essentials for creating a brand that your customers really will fall for.
- Learn exactly what branding is (starting with it not being just a logo)
- Understand the concept of Brand Personalities and learn how it will add value to both your brand and your overall marketing strategy
- Learn how to position essential brand elements, including:
- Brand story
- Brand voice (language and tone)
- Logo and collateral
- Brand culture
- Brand experience
- Learn the tricks to completely owning your area of expertise
- Understand how to build a strong brand culture, and
- Gain insider tips on creating a memorable brand experience
Location: Online
Cost: FREE
register for create a brand your customers will fall in love with »
March 22, 2022 — 6:00pm to 8:00pm
Social Media 101 for small business is an overview of all social media platforms. This workshop will cover all major platforms from Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, Snapchat, Google Plus and You Tube. From setting up your business through to creating a strategy on each, you will leave completely informed and ready to begin prompting your business or service on your desired social media platforms.
We will also cover briefly some of the smaller platforms to help you understand what is out there in the market place in order to give you clarity and help you understand social media as a whole.
Location: Online
Cost: FREE
register for social media 101 for your small business »
Get Known, Get Found – Build your Business Presence Online
March 23, 2022 — 7:30am to 8:30am
The online workshops will support you as a small business operator to identify ways to increase your visibility and sales in a digital world. The workshop will assist small business owners in 3 key areas:
- to enhance brand awareness (including SEO),
- easy social media content planning tips; and
- how Digital Marketers use Calendars to achieve goals and thrive.
Location: Online
Cost: FREE
register for get known, get found – build your business presence online »
Get your business online with social media
March 23, 2022 — 2:00pm to 4:00pm
This interactive session, we will take you step-by-step through key social media platforms and using Canva, show you how to design simple, professional posts or ads, to engage directly with your customers. The focus will be on developing a positive customer experience using social media.
You will discover:
- Which social media platforms are best for your business and how to navigate your way around them with confidence
- How to use Canva to design simple, professional posts / ads and engage directly with your customers
- Strategies to manage and achieve a positive customer experience
At the completion of the session you will leave with:
- A Social Media Action Plan
- Confidence to use social media and start or improve your business’s social media presence
- An understanding of how you can engage your customers with professional posts, paid ads and sharing strategies
Location: Online
Cost: FREE
register for get your business online with social media »
9 Proven Ways To Grow Your Email List
March 30, 2022 — 11:00am to 12:00pm
Email marketing is the most cost-effective digital marketing strategy and is the easiest to start.
People put more trust into email content than any other digital source, mainly because they have already opted-in to receiving the content.
In this talk, I cover nine proven strategies you can easily implement to grow your email list, whether you are an established marketer, or you are just starting a new business venture with zero subscribers.
Location: Online
Cost: FREE
register for 9 proven ways to grow your email list »
Express your online brand
March 28, 2022 — 10:00am to 12:00pm
You know what your business brand is like, but how do you grab the attention of your ideal customers with a memorable, distinctive and unique online presence?
And how do you clearly communicate through your language, your look and your online imagery who you are as a brand?
This is not another educational webinar, this is all about ACTION. You’ll find helpful examples to learn from and tips and tools to apply to your own business.
In this practical workshop you will learn how to take steps to:
- Express your brand online on different social platforms like Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn.
- Use Your Lanaguage — the words you say – to be different and memorable.
- Use your Look — the colours and style of imagery — to get noticed.
- Use Your Style — what are some specific templates that you can easily create for your business to represent your unique brand?
Location: Online
Cost: FREE
register for express your online brand »
Social media made easy
March 30, 2022 — 10:00am to 12:00pm
Social media has changed the way we communicate, connect, and collaborate with our customers. It helps businesses reach their customers better, create brand awareness, build customer loyalty and so much more.
Whether you’re new to social media or just want to upskill, our social media session has you covered. Learn how to use social channels like Facebook and Instagram to their full potential.
In this session we will cover:
- How to set up your social media profile
- How to create content that gets engagement
- How to track your audience and find new markets
- How to test advertising on a limited budget
- How each social media platform is different but the same
- What social media platform to use for B2B and B2C
- How the algorithms work
- What is a frictionless customer journey and why that matters
- Can social media grow your business (examples).
Location: Online
Cost: FREE
register for social media made easy »
How to Engage and Sell on Social Media
March 30, 2022 — 4:00pm to 5:00pm
In this workshop, we are going to talk about how to engage and sell on Social Media in 2022 (and yes, it IS changing!).
We go through content ideas and what to post, human to human marketing, establishing a reach-out strategy, how to sell on social media and how to get more organic traffic.
It’s a workshop that will help startups, as well as established businesses who are struggling to get the success they deserve on social media.
Location: Online
Cost: $17
register for how to engage and sell on social media »
Growing Your Business & Managing Money
How to sell your services
March 1, 2022 — 10:00am to 12:00pm
Sales is the lifeblood of any business.
No matter how much you love helping people, without sales you have a charity not a business. In a service-based business you need to be convinced that the services you offer add significant value to your clients.
Topics covered: Conviction selling; creating your value proposition; selling to different types of people; sales strategies that work; closing a sale; and overcoming fear.
Location: Online
Cost: FREE
register for how to sell your services »
March 3, 2022 — 10:00am to 12:00pm
Bookkeeping can be a daunting experience without the right guidance. It helps you understand your business financials whilst helping you assess your profitability.
The session will cover:
- What bookkeeping is
- Business bank accounts
- Accounting software
- GST
- Record keeping
Location: Online
Cost: FREE
register for bookkeeping basics »
Strategies for improving your cash flow
March 7, 2022 — 2:00pm to 3:00pm
Cash flow management is critical to the success of any business, but it’s not always easy to find ways to improve your cash flow. This 60-minute session explores seven key strategies that may improve the cash flow of your business.
Location: Online
Cost: FREE
register for strategies for improving your cash flow »
Running a home-based business
March 9, 2022 — 10:00am to 11:00am
Running your small business from your home may cost you more in expenses such as electricity, gas, phone, furniture, and cars.
Come to this one hour session to find out what expenses you can claim for tax deductions and how to calculate the amounts you can claim.
Location: Online
Cost: FREE
register for running a home-based business »
How to price & package your services
March 10, 2022 — 10:00am to 12:00pm
Many service providers struggle with how to calculate their pricing. Small business owners only include a tiny part of their real costs and then wonder why their business isn’t making money.
In this webinar we’ll look briefly at why they struggle, what goes into an hourly rate and why we package instead of disclosing that rate to clients. We look at providing three package tiers to provide easy upsell opportunities, allow for trade-offs if the price is queried, and add value into the packages that will save time and make money!
Location: Online
Cost: FREE
register for how to price & package your services »
March 17, 2022 — 12:00pm — 1:00pm
This webinar will delve into the Balance Sheet, the Income Statement, and the Statement of Cash Flows to reveal more about how this information can help you become a more successful business.
Financial statements contain a wealth of information that savvy business owners can use to improve their business performance. Our ‘Understanding Financial Statements’ webinar will help unlock this information so you can better understand the numbers in your business.
Many people go into business with little or no formal training on how to manage the numbers in their business. Understanding the information contained in your financial statements can help you make more informed and confident decisions on a day to day basis.
Location: Online
Cost: FREE
register for understanding financial statements »
March 17, 2022 — 2:00pm to 2:30pm
What is succession planning? What does it actually mean?
Succession Planning is quite simple to describe as the combination of three things all happening at the same time. It’s about getting the business ready for a change of ownership or transition. It’s about getting the owner ready – partly psychology, partly financial. And essentially, it’s about getting your personal and family financial position ready.
Location: Online
Cost: FREE
register for 7 critical factors for successful succession »
March 21, 2022 — 10:00am to 12:00pm
This business grants workshop is the ideal, practical guide to grant writing for any business seeking to attain funding by applying for grants. This is a practical step by step workshop where grants from both the public and private sector will be assessed and participants will have the opportunity to draft grant applications in class and have them assessed by the facilitator. A discussion will also take place with regard to current developments in the sector.
This workshop will provide valuable knowledge on a range of Grants related topics:
- Public and Private Sector Grants – what is out there?
- Visioning, Strategy, Methodology Project Planning & Project Rationale
- Community Capacity Building & Sustainability
- Practical Grant Writing Tips, Budgets & Grant Jargon
- Acquittal of Funding & Evaluation
Location: Online
Cost: FREE
register for how to apply for business grants »
Apps to simplify your business
March 22, 2022 — 10:00am to 11:303am
In this session you’ll learn:
- What top apps to use to make your business more manageable
- Terrific tips to simplify your business processes
- Taking the pressure out of doing it alone.
Location: Online
Cost: FREE
register for apps to simplify your business »
How Do I Start A Micro Business
March 22, 2022 — 12:00pm to 1:00pm
Are you looking to navigate into a new adventure? A side hustle? Or to start off a home based or online business and you are not sure where to start?
If you said YES to any of these questions then this is the workshop for you.
You will receive a FREE downloadable booklet that has all that is discussed in the Workshop.
We will cover the legals of getting established, marketing, financials and operations in this 1 hour workshop.
Starting a business does not need to be hard or difficult but it can be confusing when there is not one roadmap on where to start and a place telling you what needs to be done to get started.
Join a workshop that is ran by a trainer/assessor and mentor with years of experience on helping hundreds of businesses get established.
Location: Online
Cost: FREE
register for how do i start a micro business »
DIY low cost market research
March 23, 2022 — 6:00pm to 8:00pm
Before launching a new product, service or even business, a vital step is conducting research. Although you had a need, are there enough others with the same need to warrant starting a new venture?
In this session we look at methods and tools to work out if there is enough demand at the price, you’ll need to offer it.
Key takeaways:
- Learn tools to help you get started with research
- Find out where to conduct research
- Draft an initial survey (on paper or directly into Google Forms BYO device with a signed up Google account)
- Complete some test market research in class
Location: Online
Cost: FREE
register for diy low cost market research »
How to Turn an Idea into a Business
March 24, 2022 — 12:00pm to 1:00pm
We all have “good” ideas for a business, they come to us in our sleep! But how to work out if YOUR idea can be a business without investing your life savings?
In this workshop we will go through:
- The questions you need to be asking yourself when it comes to turning an idea into a business, such as “are you filling a gap in the market?”
- How to research, test and measure your idea
- Assess and manage risk
- Different business structures
- And the fundamentals of starting a business, choosing a name, registering it, obtaining digital assets, taxation requirements and so forth.
This workshop is for people who are in the beginning stages of business and need help with the fundamentals.
Participants will walk away with an action plan, a checklist and the knowledge they need to turn their idea into a business.
Location: Online
Cost: $17
register for how to turn an idea into a business »
Practise Your Pitch with Mums & Co
March 25, 2022 — 12:30pm to 1:30pm
Have you got your elevator pitch nailed? Are you confident in describing what your business does? Pitching your business and articulating exactly what it is you do and why it’s unique and amazing is an essential skill for every small business owner. For this reason Mums & Co is hosting a Practice Your Pitch Sessions – to help you nail that pitch first time around and always make the best impression.
Every business owner needs to be able to effectively articulate what their business does in a few sentences. This event is a chance for you to practise your elevator pitch within a supportive environment and get tips and feedback on how to nail this important business skill. You will also have the opportunity to meet other business owner women and work together with individual feedback and coaching tips from Carrie Kwan, and participants to perfect each other’s pitches.
Location: Online
Cost: FREE
register for practise your pitch with mums & co »
Use your own story to build your business
March 28, 2022 — 11:00am to 12:00pm
Increasingly, entrepreneurs and small-business people in all fields are using the true stories of their experiences, expertise and services to help build their brand and their business.
In this seminar, led by experienced book publisher Bernadette Foley, we will explore ways you can tell your own story. We’ll ask the big questions – Why, What and How – as a starting point to create your content. Importantly, we’ll also consider who you are telling your story to and what you hope they’ll gain from it.
A well-crafted story can capture people’s interest, so they’ll want to know more about you and your business. It will appeal to clients and staff who are keen to find out what you stand for and what you have to offer — all told in your own unique way.
Humans love stories! You can harness the power of your story and enjoy the story-sharing process.
Location: Online
Cost: FREE
register for use your own story to build your business »
March 30, 2022 — 10:00am to 12:00pm
This Short n Sharp Training session is appropriate for those in roles that need to provide quality service to internal and/or external “customers”, as well as those in need of a refresher.
Topics Include:
- Just who are your “Customers” and what is Great Customer Service?
- Establishing your Attitude – Appearance Counts, Staying Energised and Positive
- Identifying and addressing Customer Needs
- Giving Excellent Customer Service over the phone – Etiquette, tips and tools
- Giving Excellent Customer Service via E-mail – Netiquette, tips and tools
- Recovering Difficult Customers
- How you can WOW your Customers Every Time!
Location: Online
Cost: FREE
register for customer service essentials »
March 30, 2022 — 10:00am to 12:00pm
Are you so bogged down in the day-to-day of your business operations, that you can’t see the forest for the trees?
This online workshop will give you the time and space to do some planning for the future… Where do you want to go, and how are you going to get there? In this workshop, you will identify the activities you need to be doing to get your business from where it is now to where you want it to be… And, you will take away your one-page business plan.
You will learn:
- The importance of having a direction and a plan for your business
- Techniques to develop simple and effective business strategies
- Customer-focussed marketing tools.
At the completion of the session you will leave with:
- Your 1-page Business Plan
- A knowledge of the areas you need to strengthen in your business
- An understanding of key Marketing activities you can action to improve your business.
Location: Online
Cost: FREE
register for create a 1-page business plan »
March 30, 2022 — 12:00pm to 1:30pm
Diversity + inclusion = better business outcomes
Diverse workplaces are creative, have the ability to address problems with critical thinking and offer varied solutions as they are more innovative. However, this requires business to ensure all employees are able to bring their best selves to the business and perform to their ability. This only happens when they are valued and included. It is important that employees feel a strong sense of belonging. The experts agree, building an inclusive workplace will bring business success.
Join us for a 90 minute online workshop which will show the business case for inclusion, and provide steps that can be taken to ensure your teams feel they truly belong in your business and are able to fully contribute.
Individuals, business owners and operators will:
- Build understanding of the key concepts of diversity and inclusion
- Explore the value to business of diverse teams
- Increase awareness of cultural identities and
- Identify practical and simple actions that can be taken that make a difference.
Location: Online
Cost: FREE
register for how to promote diversity and inclusion in the workplace »
Find other NSW Small Business Month Activities
Believe it or not, we’ve only sampled above a tiny fraction of the activities that are occurring across New South Wales during Small Business Month — March 1–31, 2022.
Learn more about Small Business Month and search for more activities…