If you’ve got some “me” time or when you’re stuck indoors for some reason, why not spend it by poring yourself on reading materials that will inspire and energise you to keep going in your entrepreneurial journey? A good start is to look into the life stories of business leaders who withstood adversities and exhibited determination and persistence in achieving their dreams.
President’s Special Update on Sustaining EO Melbourne Through the Crisis #2
From the President
A single hand can easily break a lone stick, but if the same hand, or even both hands, gather many sticks into a bunch and then attempts to break them, the task becomes more difficult. Similarly, when we stand together, we become ever stronger, collectively smarter and better equipped to navigate life’s challenges. One thing I know with certainty is that we never need to navigate life’s challenges alone.
Skydiving your way to the entrepreneurial path
Skydiving is an activity that may not be for everyone. People with a fear of heights may be averse to jump from a high altitude into the unknown. It takes knowledge, presence of mind and courage for one to do so. This is what many business owners stand out as they are ready to take the risk just to achieve the goal they have in mind.
How do you find the right suppliers for your business?
Customers prefer brands that offer quality goods and services as well as great value for money. Thus, having the right suppliers that can provide you with the best materials at affordable prices will be instrumental in becoming the no. 1 choice of your clients. You must select suppliers that fit your needs and styles. How do you go about it?
President's Update - March
From the President
Dear EO Melbourne,
For all our Members, the last month has been difficult, unsettling, destabilising and heartbreaking. However, I am also cognizant that it is during times of crisis that great leaders – and feats of great leadership – emerge.
It is during times like these that people turn to us as leaders, and one message has been clear in my conversations with leaders whom I deeply respect and admire: Leadership requires us to make fast (and well-informed) decisions, leadership requires us to be present, leadership requires us to increase our pace of communication, and leadership requires us to accept that we make decisions knowing what we know at the time and with the resources that we have available to us.
Preparing for a media interview
Business owners, especially those of startups or small and medium-sized enterprises, are usually the face of their company as they carry the name on their shoulders. People’s trust in a brand is heightened when they are familiar with the person or individuals behind it. Moreover, an entrepreneur’s story plays a significant part in conveying the narrative behind a business, product or service.
President’s Special Update on Sustaining EO Melbourne Through the Crisis #1
From the President
Dear EO Melbourne Members,
For so many of us, the last few weeks have been incredibly difficult and trying, and we are grateful for the outpouring of support and solidarity that have shown from this powerful community. It has been nothing short of amazing.
During times of crisis, we have the opportunity to decide whether we are brought closer together or torn further apart. What I have witnessed, from the numerous phone calls, to Members reaching out personally to each other, and to Past President Carlo Santoro facilitating a well-attended emergency event this week to discuss the impacts of this pandemic, proves to me that for us, it is the former. It is in times like these that our humanity shines through and shows that we are all in this together.
Successful entrepreneurs who failed in business before making it big
We see their faces and names on magazine covers, TV documentaries, business news, and in some important events past or present. They have gained fame through the success of their companies and brands, but these entrepreneurs had tried their hand on business and, at one point, didn’t work like a Midas touch.
Innovate your products and services to grow your business
In a world where competition and survival are inherently embedded in our DNA, the playing field in the entrepreneurial space becomes tougher and tougher every single day. There is no room for complacency, which can only drag a business towards a downward slope. It often calls for a lot of creativity and innovation to bring your venture a notch higher than it used to be.
The rise of female entrepreneurs
In celebration of Women’s Month this March, we take a look at the present state of female entrepreneurship and how it contributes to the big picture of the entrepreneurial journey. Women taking the path of entrepreneurship are on the rise, yet we still need to do more to support and encourage them in this endeavour.
When your entrepreneurial journey hits a plateau
The path of entrepreneurship is full of twists and turns, as well as potholes and mounds, that makes the journey challenging yet exciting. It’s a rollercoaster ride that can take you up and down, which can often cause you to stumble or lose your balance. But what if you’re going through a smooth ride, like a paved highway, only to find out that you’re going flat and no growth at all?
To be or not to be (a multi-tasker)
Every morning, you browse through your emails on your laptop while sipping coffee, then answering and making calls in between. In one sitting, you have ticked off several tasks in your to-do list. It goes on for the rest of the day. Yet, before the morning is over, you are already exhausted, often skipping lunch and short breaks or spending sleepless nights finishing a lot of things.
President's Update - February
From the President
Dear EO Melbourne,
As I reflected on what I would share with everyone this month, one thought that remained constant for me is that of challenge and hardship. We dedicate and spend so much of our lives to finding balance and building systems, processes, structures and relationships that make us feel safe and secure. But often, things happen outside of our control that quickly reminds us that perhaps there are too many unknowns that can destabilise us. Whether it be a personal or familial tragedy, such as the passing of someone we love or a global disaster like the recent Coronavirus/COVID-19 outbreak, perchance what we really seek is a feeling of safety. Whilst achieving it may be tenuous or temporary at best, we still have the innate desire to rebuild and strengthen each time a tragedy or disaster strikes.
The entrepreneurs’ new clothes
"What you wear is how you present yourself to the world, especially today when human contacts are so quick. Fashion is instant language."
These are the words of renowned fashion designer and entrepreneur Miuccia Prada. True enough, individuals are often sized up according to how others see them, including the clothes they wear. Entrepreneurs are no exception. But with more business owners becoming younger and more modern, their fashion style has also evolved.
Checking out your competition
In every industry, competition exists as there will always be various businesses that will offer similar goods and services. Even for industries where monopoly ensues, there are still indirect competitors that can provide alternatives to consumers. When you run a business, you do not operate in isolation, so you also have to be conscious not only of your market but also of other players in the field.
The importance of insurance to your business
At this age when climate change is causing natural calamities more frequently, plus with the threat of cyber-attacks, fraud, terrorism and other man-made disasters, it is vital to protect your business from such possible scenarios that may cause damage to your venture. It becomes imperative to avail of insurance for you and your business that will allow you to be in a position of confidence during times of uncertainty.
Messaging apps for entrepreneurs on the go
Running your business often requires you to be out in the field and travel for meetings or official engagements. Sometimes, you have to manage your team and your transactions from a remote location to ensure that everything is running smoothly. While you can communicate using SNS and calls, they are sometimes not enough to help you keep track of things. That’s where instant messaging apps can be of value to you and your venture.
Making good decisions as an entrepreneur
Business owners face tough decisions every day. There are several things that need your attention, including fires to put out. More often than not, these decisions can affect not only your personal life but also those of others. The responsibility of making a choice that can chart or hinder the growth of your business is a heavy burden to take.
Taking care of your skin, taking care of your business
The rise of social media stories
And how you can use it for marketing your business
At the turn of the century, technology has developed at an accelerated rate. Now, people can do so many things with the use of their smartphone, connecting users from different parts of the globe through various platforms and providing solutions to many needs we encounter each day. There are several applications for a variety of purposes. In social media alone, new features are added continuously to provide more ways for people to interact.