Save the date – Ignite Sydney is back once more! 

At the Oxford Art Factory on Tuesday, 11th October.

Registrations will open soon, but for now please save the date in your diaries.

They want to hear from you

Right now they’re taking presentation proposals. You can talk about anything you like, as long as it’s interesting and you can tell in 20 slides and 5 minutes.

Head to the Proposals page and share your ideas!

Videos from Ignite Sydney 6

The videos from previous Ignite Sydney shows are available on the Ignite Show portal, where you can also catch talks from around the world.

Stay in touch

Follow Ignite Sydney on Twitter, join their Facebook page.

Thanks from
The Ignite Sydney team

We Have Been Nominated for the 2011 Sydney Business Awards!

Win $1,500 in cash – by voting for the Cavalletti Communications team.

Vote & Win at http://bit.ly/jbmoe4, or simply SMS “Words” to 0447 447 070.

Thank you for your support,

Daniela
daniela@cavacom.biz

Cavalletti Communications -
Copywriters Nominated for 2011 Sydney Business Award

Please Vote For Us – at http://bit.ly/jbmoe4 or SMS / Text “Words” to 0447 447 070.

Our clients know us as copywriters and consultants who really understand and care about each client’s business – and true long-term partners that deliver outstanding results for them ever time.

Now, we are proud to announce that this commitment and quality of work has earned us a nomination for the 2011 Sydney Business Awards. A big thank you to those who nominated us for this year’s City of Sydney Business Award.

Go into the draw to win $1,500 in cash – by voting for Daniela and the Cavalletti Communications team.

Vote & Win at http://bit.ly/jbmoe4 or SMS / Text “Words” to 0447 447 070.

Thank you for your ongoing support!
Daniela

We Are All Social Creatures With Needs

Much has been written about what to do when starting your own business -
and much valuable advice has been given.

One of my favourite books is “The Ten Truths for Raising a Healthy Bouncy Business” by Roland Hanekroot (www.thetentruths.com.au).  It’s straightforward talk, no tome, yet gives many great insights, resources and examples.  In short, it’s extremely useful. In places, Roland touches on the human element which often is a no-no in a society where not being busy is poo-pooed.

But without taking the needs of the small business owner as a human being into consideration, new starters and old hands alike are prone to exhaustion, lack of creativity and even overall business failure.

So, here are my own tips for small business owners, anyone employed – and any other hard working people.

From a perspective of the owner/worker as a human being.

1. Balance:

Look after yourself – if you are mentally and physically exhausted you cannot function, and get overwhelmed or frustrated too easily.  And being a new business owner may suddenly seem too daunting.  Good food, rest, exercise and, very importantly, regularly connecting with what you love (a hobby, the outdoors, etc.) and people close to you, as well making new contacts, is important. You will feel less pressured and isolated.

2. Flexibility / Openness:

If you started out with one idea, but it does not work out as you hoped or you are not happy with it in the real world – that’s ok.  No need for guilt or feeling of failure.  Business, as life, is constantly evolving and changing.  Be agile, adapt, and you will grow that way (your business and personally).  Too many new starters (and long term owners) have battled with one fixed idea, trying to make it work against all instincts and odds, to the detriment of the new business.  Only flexibility, and the will and ability to adapt, be creative and to trust your gut will keep you going as a happy business owner  in the long run.

3. Networking:

Getting out there to network serves many a purpose, and is good for both the owner and the business: You can exchange ideas, get referrals, find affiliates, grow your knowledge, stimulate the mind with new impressions, develop new angles and ideas, evolve your “elevator pitch” short description of what you do, how, and – most importantly – why.  People buy the emotive “why” of your service, your passion and your conviction that you are offering something unique and worth having.  For more on this topic check out http://thetentruths.com.au/resources/purpose/, especially the Simon Sinek video on “why”.

What are your 3 Tips to a successful and healthy relationship with your work?

Leave your comment below – looking forward to reading your ideas!

Until soon,
Daniela
daniela@cavacom.biz
www.cavacom.biz

We Take Care of All Your Business Words

Hello Everybody, Hello 2011!

Now where did 2010 disappear to so fast, hm?  With another new year upon us (in the best possible sense), many of us take a look back at all the good, challenging, rewarding and inspiring things we encountered over the past 12 months.  And many are planning ahead, making new year resolutions. So what will be happening here at Cavalletti Communications? And what does 2011 have in store for you and me as small business owners out there, I wonder?

2010 was an eventful year on all fronts

Cavalletti Communications celebrated its 1st official birthday, our team of talented experts has been growing steadily, friendships and collaborations have been formed across the net and at networking events. I have had the honour of meeting many business owners and thought leaders who shared their expertise and knowledge. You, my clients and connections have been kind and generous in passing on referrals to me, and thus help my business grow. Thank you!

Running an expanding business has also thrown challenges my way, of course:  How do you do it all in only so many hours in the day? When do I find the time to put all those fantastic (I think) ideas into practice? Surely I can do that myself? We have to learn the hard way at times, and so have I here and there.

On a personal note, 2010 saw me getting married and meet the huge gaggle of what is now my new, significantly larger (but equally lovingly boisterous and fun) family.  So, 2010 certainly held a lot of changes for me, on all fronts.

Starting off a successful 2011

So far so good: January of this new year is already over, and has been a good month for most of us. Like many of you, I have made plans and set goals on various fronts. On where, how and when to grow my business. And personal ones (hello, fitness & balance!).

2010 will see a new range of Cavalletti Communications writing & marketing services developed. I am already in exciting conversations with a number of very talented people regarding affiliations and working with us. And Cavalletti Communications will get another boost via our about-to-be-signed-off membership at the Artisans chapter of BNI.

But as business owners we also are people. And as people we need personal challenges – and time to relax. I was lucky to be able to combine the two on a recent camping trip in the beautiful Snowy River and Snowy Mountains regions. If you like a glimpse of the stunning view from Australia’s highest peak, Mt Kosciuszko, below is a little video for you. I scaled my first mountain for 2011. : )

So, what are your challenges and inspirations for 2011?

Looking forward to reading your take on the new year!

Until soon,
Daniela
+61 (0)415 273 272
daniela@cavacom.biz

Life Lessons From An Ad Man

An entertaining TED Talk on perception, intrinsic value – and how good marketing will give your product, service and business a healthy boost.

Presented by Rory Sutherland.

Until soon,
Daniela
+61 (0)415 273 272
daniela@cavacom.biz

Regular readers of my blog have heard me (well, “read me”) talk about passion in the past. A lot, in fact.

Passion – and the excitement of getting right into it, getting my hands dirty, give whatever I do intense focus and the best I’ve got – sits at the core of my personality.

Enthusiasm for and commitment to a person, an event or subject is something I cannot do with less than 100%. Whether I talk about a book I love (as a copywriter, words are my passion, of course), revel in the glow a beautifully shot film can evoke, share my passion for my sports (diving, martial practice and holistic exercise) – or talk about and work in my business.

It’s catching

And I find that passion is infectious: I converted a number of girlie girls to try krav maga, a full-on self defence style. Without trying hard I managed to get a better price with a vendor because he saw my passion for my work. And my clients are regularly repeat clients (and that’s the type of client all us entrepreneurs and business owners like best!) because, as one of them put it, I show “passion and care for their business, as if it were my own”.

Passion generates success

I am not telling you all this because I like to blow my own trumpet, but because it took me a little while to distill that passion breeds success. And you do not have to be an extrovert to show passion: quiet enthusiasm and commitment to your interests, work and clients works just as well.

Take a break, get it back!

But even the most enthusiastic person has an off-day every now and then, and finds it hard to muster the passion for what they do and usually love. Be it that you have the ‘flu that’s going around (again!), your kids have turned the house into a right royal mess when you need some quiet time, or you simply need a break from the daily grind. Take it.

Take out some time for yourself to reflect on why you started that fitness programme that you are now neglecting, remind yourself why you took that job, or what motivated you to started your own business. Get your passion back!

How do passion and enthusiasm influence what you do?
How you see the world, your relationships and the work you do?
I look forward to your thoughts.

Until soon,
Daniela

Who are you?  I am passionate about…

Regular readers of my blog have heard me (well, “read me”) talk about passion in the past. A lot, in fact.

Passion – and the excitement of getting right into it, getting my hands dirty, give whatever I do intense focus and the best I’ve got – sits at the core of my personality.

Enthusiasm for and commitment to a person, an event or subject is something I cannot do with less than 100%. Whether I talk about a book I love (as a copywriter, words are my passion, of course), revel in the glow a beautifully shot film can evoke, share my passion for my sports (diving, martial practice and holistic exercise) – or talk about and work in my business.

It’s catching!

And I find that passion is infectious: I converted a number of girlie girls to try krav maga, a full-on self defence style. Without trying hard I managed to get a better price with a vendor because he saw my passion for my work. And my clients are regularly repeat clients (and that’s the type of client all us entrepreneurs and business owners like best!) because, as one of them put it, I show “passion and care for their business, as if it were my own”.

Passion = Success

I am not telling you all this because I like to blow my own trumpet, but because it took me a little while to distill that passion breeds success. And you do not have to be an extrovert to show passion: quiet enthusiasm and commitment to your interests, work and clients works just as well.

Get it back! It’s worked so hard for you.

But even the most enthusiastic person has an off-day every now and then and finds it hard to muster the passion for what they do, and usually love. Be it that you have the ‘flu that’s going around (again!), your kids have turned the house into a right royal mess when you need some quiet time, or you simply need a break from the daily grind. Take it.

Take out some time for yourself to reflect on why you started that fitness programme that you are now neglecting, remind yourself why you took that job, or what motivated you to started your own business. Get your passion back!

Simon Smith from Southern Cross Coaching put it well in his recent blog post on passion and success. He says:

“The first point is that no matter what you do, you can – and people do – lose the passion for it. We forget the whole reason why we’re doing it. We forget what we love about it all. It slips away from us. At some stage, we all need to stop & make time to realise what we do, why we do it, & how much we really do enjoy it, and how much it really means to us – despite what might be some seemingly tough times.

The second point is that passion sells! Passion is contagious. People buy passion. Be it in your business, an interview, at home. And they will often buy your passion & enthusiasm over & above the most polished, unpassionate product or presentation. So, before any important business or sales meeting, before that interview: Stop! Think. Smile. You will make more sales, you will have better client relationships and better clients, you will do better business. And you will be a happier business owner!”

I couldn’t agree more.

How do passion and enthusiasm influence what you do?
How you see the world, your relationships and the work you do?
I look forward to your thoughts.

Until soon,
Daniela