Beginners’ Classes at Newmachar

Beginners’ Classes at Newmachar.

MRI Calls for Volunteers to Run Baker Hughes10k

Local Charity, Maritime Rescue Institute, is appealing for volunteers to run the Baker Hughes 10k in Aberdeen to raise much needed funds for its rescue services.

The Stonehaven charity relies solely on fundraising and donations to operate its lifeboat rescue service and to deliver its educational programmes. On average 23 lives at sea are saved each year and educational programmes reach over 10,000 youngsters. It is hoped that volunteers who complete the run, which takes place on 20th May this year, will be able to help raise over £2000 in total.

Ann Laing, Manager of MRI comments: “After a few volunteers came forward offering to run the 10k, we decided to make a campaign of it. It will hopefully give individuals something positive to work towards for themselves, as well as raising funds to help save lives at sea. We hope to make the Baker Hughes 10k an annual fixture; one that we can build on each year.”

To sign up or for more information contact Jo Thom at MRI on 01569 765768.

For more information on Maritime Rescue Institute visit www.maritime-rescue-institute.org.

The Biggest Fears of Networking

Last night I ran a workshop on ‘Getting the Most from Networking’ in Aberdeen for Business Gateway. We had a good crowd and it really was a fun session. At the start of the workshop I did what I always do and asked delegates to write down their biggest fears of networking.
It never ceases to amaze me how many people have the same fears of networking. I get the same answers from delegates on this one every time I run the workshop!

Here’s the biggest fears I regularly get from delegates at my networking worshop:
1. I’ll not know anyone
2. No one will speak to me
3. People won’t be interested in what I have to say
4. Not sure how to start a conversation
5. Language barrier
6. Cultural differences
7. I’ll say the wrong thing
8. I’ll not come across confident
9. I’ll be nervous
10. I’m scared

The only reason that most of us feel this way at networking events is quite simply because we are out of our comfort zone. There are techniques we can use to help counter these fears, but we should always remember that if people aren’t listening or showing an interest then they are the rude ones – not you.

In the workshop we work through these fears and learn new ways and techniques to overcome them. I also try to stress that we should always remember how it feels to be attending your first networking event and be mindful of others and how our actions could hurt or offend them.

The good thing about networking is that it gets easier the more you do it – it is a learned skill, so remember ‘practise makes perfect’!

For more information on this workshop please contact Business Gateway in Aberdeen or visit www.bgateway.com

Lifestyle Businesses Urged to Enter Trend Awards 2012

Trend Magazine recently opened its ‘Life with Style Awards’ for 2012. Head Judge, Eileen Mauchline of Limetree, is now calling for Lifestyle Businesses across the region to take part.

The prestigious Awards aim to recognise businesses for their achievements and contribution to improving the lifestyle of people in the North-east of Scotland.

This year, there are 14 Categories with 17 Awards up for grabs, including an inaugural ‘New Business’ Award. After its success last year, The Trend Readers’ Award will run again this year, giving readers the opportunity to vote for their favourite lifestyle business in the North-east.

Eileen Mauchline comments: “These awards are a great opportunity for lifestyle businesses across the region to showcase what they have to offer and what they have achieved in business. I would encourage anyone within the lifestyle, health or hospitality sector in the North-east to enter. Being shortlisted for an Award is a great way to generate free publicity for an organisation, raising its profile at the same time.”

The Categories for this year’s Awards are:

FASHION RETAILER
LIFESTYLE RETAILER
EXCELLENCE IN BEAUTY PROVISION
DIVINE DINING
EXCELLENCE IN HAIRDRESSING
INTERIORS ELITE
CREATIVE MINDS
HOTEL STAR
HEALTH
THE COMMUNITY AWARD
BEST NEW BUSINESS
TREND READERS’ AWARD
OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION TO THE NORTH-EAST’S LIFESTYLE SCENE

The deadline for this year’s entries is: Friday 23rd March at 12noon

All Awards will be presented at a glitzy Awards Ceremony at the Marcliffe on Thursday 14th June 2012.

Email info@limetreeconsultancy.co.uk for more information or contact Trend direct on 01224 631141.

Environmental Charity to Appoint New Non-Executive Director in Aberdeen

Local Environmental Charity, Aberdeen Forward, is seeking a Non-Executive Director to help run its operations in the North-east.  The position comes available next month, following the resignation of local lawyer David Scott, who stands down after 6 years.

Aberdeen Forward was formed in 1999 and operates from a base on Poynernook Road in Aberdeen City.  The charity has various accolades to its name and last year was proud to be awarded an ‘Investors in Volunteers’ Award by Volunteer Development Scotland.  It employs 9 staff locally and has 90 volunteers, who assist with the delivery of a number of projects, which include environmental workshops, a Creative Waste Exchange, composting projects and projects for schools.  It is also responsible for administering Aberdeen’s Landfill Community Fund.

The role, which is non-paid, will involve attending monthly meetings and assisting with senior management tasks, as well as working with fellow directors to steer the charity forward in a sustainable manner.  The role would be particularly suited to someone at senior management level with an interest in waste reduction and the environment.

Lynn Smith, Chief Executive of Aberdeen Forward said:  “We will be sorry to see the departure of David Scott and thank him very much for his invaluable support over the last six years.  We will look forward to welcoming applications from candidates with a proactive approach who are keen to offer their time to assist with the management and leadership of this fast moving charity.”

Anyone who is interested in this position should initially contact Lynn Smith at Aberdeen Forward on 01224 560360 or visit www.aberdeenforward.org for more information.

5 Areas to Cover in a White Paper

Producing a White Paper can be a great way for an organisation to drive sales and help raise its profile at the same time.  A white paper is essentially a report, which can be written with either a technical or a marketing slant.  Both do the same thing – highlight the problem and offer a solution for solving that problem.

Below are 5 areas to cover in a white paper:
1. The Problem (or Opportunity)
2. Evidence the Problem Exists
3. Additional Problems
4. The Solution
5. How Your Product/Service can help solve the problem

Once a white paper has been produced, it can be launched at an event to a highly targeted audience and backed up by press releases,  social media, and webcasts.

To discuss producing a white paper and launching one contact Eileen Mauchline, Limetree on 01224 560366.

When Telling Fibs Trips You Up

Last week I had to send my apologies to a networking event (Connect 925).  It was a real shame because I was really looking forward to going along to the event.  Sometimes though, and particularly in business, other priorities take over and you just can’t do everything.

Low and behold, the very next day I got a ‘linked-in’ request from someone I had never met (another one, yes).  This, however, was an interesting one as as it said something along the lines of:  ”Hi there, I met you at the Connect 925 networking event yesterday and would like to Link-in with you….”  I thought to myself, “that’s interesting, given that I wasn’t at the event”.

This is the second time that this has happened to me and I really don’t understand why people do this?  Telling lies does not help to build trust in the world of business and all I can do to those out there who are thinking of playing the same tricks to make contacts, is: please don’t!