Wednesday, 14 May 2008
Give a cheer for small - medium business in Queensland
| Last night Penni (one of our Heart Harmony writers) and I attended a small business reception at Parliament House. Anna Bligh, our State Premier mentioned that 95% of people employed in Queensland were employed by small-medium businesses. (Makes my Employee Manual for Small Business even more relevant when you look at those statistics). It was great to see so many diverse small businesses at the reception and it was also brilliant to catch up with a number of our current and past clients who were also there. We met some great small businesses with unique ways to reclaim water, retaining wall specialists, property developers, cosmetic manufacturers, printers, aviation experts and speakers. We also met a great business that teaches kids and adults the basics of fishing - what a great business to be in! They took their hobby and have turned it into a thriving business. Many times small business doesn't realise the impact it makes on the community. One employee here, another there all adds up to a significant total. We are the powerhouse behind our local communities and the economy. Today stand up and be proud of the difference you are making to your community. Until next time Ingrid Cliff Heart Harmony Putting your business into words Labels: small business entrepreneurs |
Tuesday, 22 April 2008
Are entrepreneurs born or made?
| This week I watched a brilliant documentary called "Lemonade Stories". The documentary interviews a number of entrepreneurs about their mother and the influence she had on their life. In a number of the interviews the mother was also interviewed. The interview I most loved was Richard Branson with his mother Eve Branson. I have long been fascinated about Richard Branson and how he takes traditional business ideas and turns them on their head. For the first time I could see where he gained this skill and approach ... his mum Eve. Eve Branson is one of the fiestiest, funniest and fascinating people I have seen in a long time. She was one of the first air hostesses back when planes regularly fell out of the sky. She embraced new ideas, tried new approaches and helped stretch her shy son into what he is now. The closeness between Eve and her son Richard was very clear from the movie. The documentary is quite thought provoking - are entrepreneurs born or can they be made? I would love to hear your thoughts. What influence did your mum play on your entrepreneurial spirit? For those interested - I saw the documentary on this month's edition of Spiritual Cinema Circle - a monthly DVD of films that make you think, that I have sent over from the USA. Lemonade Stories is also available from Amazon. Until next time Ingrid Cliff Heart Harmony |