I was recently speaking with an associate who wants to learn a particular skill however she can’t afford to undertake a set course to learn the skills she needs.
While there’s no doubt that professional courses are a great way to learn, unless you specifically need the certification of your qualifications, there are many other ways that you can learn new skills – and they don’t have to cost you anything.
In this particular instance, I suggested that my client visit her local library and borrow a variety of books on the topic. She could also join industry groups where she’s sure to get lots of helpful tips as well as access to a range of resources. Another good way to learn is to find out who the industry leaders are or who are considered amongst the best at this particular skill. Then find out if they run any coaching programs or even if they offer a regular newsletter. By subscribing to their newsletter you can learn a wealth of great information as well as getting great tips, referrals to other useful resources or special offers for up-coming products or events that may be useful.
So if there’s something that you would like to learn or refresh your skills at, don’t just look for the obvious. Think outside the square and you’re sure to come up with a few good ideas.
Warmly,
Donna-Marie
Simplifying small business…
Happy New Year! I hope you enjoyed a wonderful Christmas and are looking forward to a fresh, bright start to 2009.
To start the year on a high note, the Small Business Diva blog has officially migrated to www.Donna-MarieCoggins.com. There are still a few minor tweaks and ‘techie things’ to be sorted but it should all be fine-tuned before too long.
I’ve been so busy with work, my own new products and all these changes but am looking forward to getting back in the swing of writing posts here regularly again.
Here’s to a safe, happy, prosperous and abundant 2009 for us all!
Warmly,
Donna-Marie
Here’s a tip… right now, take 2 minutes off work and head over to JibJab.com to see some computer messages I can understand.
Okay, they may not be real but I’m sure we can all relate to them.
Here’s to your success in business,
Donna-Marie
Even though I’m not blonde I wanted to share this cool new t-shirt with you, in anticipation of the Blondes Inc. up-coming website launch.
Blondes Inc. will be launched very soon to put a fun slant on their amazing and more serious humanitarian plans.
These cool blondes’ t-shirts are available in various sizes (the large size is the equivalent to a size 12 in Australia). Although the company is based in the US, they can be mailed to Australia too.
The Business Mums Network is holding their second annual Business Mums Conference in Melbourne, Australia, this weekend – July 12th and 13th. In a wonderful gesture of generosity and appreciation for what she gained from last year’s conference, Kylie Short from Tilda Virtual Services (and Business Mums member) kindly offered a Big Girls Boots Scholarship for someone deserving to attend the conference.
In a similarly generous statement, Lucie Battaini from MultimediART also paid another member to help her to be able to attend this weekend’s conference.
I think these two ladies have demonstrated wonderful acts of generosity and I know the recipients of their gifts are incredibly grateful.
In another act of generosity, I checked my mail today to discover a lovely gift – a bottle of wine from Mandy Stevens of Direct Digital. This was a ‘thank you’ gift for something I helped Mandy with last week – something that was very simple for me to do and really didn’t require any form of payment or thanks. Receiving the gift has really made my day (and will be very much enjoyed!) – THANK YOU! And yes, Mandy is also a Business Mum.
Here’s to your success in business,
Donna-Marie
