Blog

Oct
17

Why Re-Network?

Networking is an essential element of business development, a crucial skill and even a profession for some. In this context, it has nothing to do with IT and everything to do with people and relationships. We define it as the creation, development and maintenance of intricate systems of inter-personal relations with current and prospective friends, […]

By Kirsty James | Business News
DETAIL
Jun
30

Please Don’t Quit

Resignation is practically ‘de rigueur’ right now – not sure I even risk using a French phrase given EU antics, British political meltdown and even the English football fiasco. Setting aside politics (for fear of writing a book, not a blog), the last fortnight has not just evoked questions for the future of small business […]

By Kirsty James | Business News
DETAIL
May
16

Guest Blog – Do Customers Really Trust Your Business?

Guest blog from Rosalind Henshell of Big Thinking Online, speaker at our May 2016 event on Online Marketing Essentials – Brand Building and Reputation Management (for further event info, click here).   Do Customers Really Trust Your Business? I’m sure your gut reaction says that yes, they do, but how can you prove it? Let’s […]

By Kirsty James | Business News
DETAIL
Apr
19

Why Collaborate

Colony’s next business event is a collaborative one with a large number of other support groups. I was asked recently why I would collaborate and openly promote other business support and networking groups when I run my own networking group and wish to attract future attendees. My answer is simple: The focus of a networking […]

By Kirsty James | Business News
DETAIL
Mar
24

Guest Blog – 6 Must Read Articles that will Shape Your Social Media Strategy

Guest blog from Alex Platt of Swift Virtual Assistant, speaker at our March 2016 event on Social Media Scheduling (for further event info, click here). So, what exactly is a Social Media Strategy? Well to put it simply, a social media strategy is the plan for how you are going to use social media in […]

By Kirsty James | Business News
DETAIL

Goal Setting or should that be Goal Re-Setting

So, January is often the month of planning for many people. New Year’s Resolutions are set by many both for their businesses and personally. Whether or not you’re a believer in NYR’s, why limit yourself to a January expression of intent; why not focus on the whole year and goal-set more realistically and over an […]

By Kirsty James | Business News
DETAIL
Jan
17

The Pace of your Networking

Everyone networks in a different way, and at a different pace, which explains why there are so many successful networking events offered by varying groups with differing styles and objectives and each with their own merits. The networking terrain in some locations is a busy one and so for networkers experienced or new, selection criteria need to include […]

By Kirsty James | Business News
DETAIL

Guest Blog – Networking is Good for Your Soul!

Guest blog from Joanne Hawkins of Executive VPA, speaker at our November 2015 event on using a VA (for further event info, click here). Why Networking Is Good For Your Soul, Not Just for Your Business. As I was preparing for last month’s NWVA conference, I thought a lot about what I wanted the attendees […]

By Kirsty James | Business News
DETAIL
Oct
05

Jack of all trades…Master of none!

You’re great at what you do, you set up in business and suddenly you start wearing all the business support function hats at once – multi-tasking like crazy for fear of losing managerial or financial control if you opted to outsource or employ instead. As a small business owner, you often become the sales and […]

By Kirsty James | Business News
DETAIL
Oct
05

Can outsourcing help your Business?

If you’re a small business and growing then you may need to outsource – if you don’t already.  If you already outsource and are still growing, then at some point you’ll need to re-assess the pro’s and con’s of outsourcing and consider taking a leap of faith into the world of employment. So, what is […]

By Kirsty James | Business News
DETAIL