​As kids, we have the help of coaches in many areas of our life. From teachers at school, to sports coaches and tutors. And of course, parents play a big role too.

But as we get older, and especially if we start our own business, we are under the illusion that we don’t need a coach, we can do it all ourselves.

I am a huge believer in ongoing professional and personal development. I love reading, learning and have always had support networks (mastermind groups, coaches) around me in my professional and personal life to help me grow. 
​
In my business, I have the pleasure to work mostly with small businesses – that’s no wonder as in New Zealand 97% of businesses have fewer than 20 employees. I love working with these business owners as they are all extremely passionate about what they do.

What saddens me a little is that these businesses could be much more successful and have a much better lifestyle if they spent more time working ON their business.  As the saying goes: “If you don’t know where you’re going, how are you going to get there?” 
The result of the planning survey of 200 businesses I carried out last year had as main reasons stated: no time and no support.

It seems so simple, doesn't it; write down your goals, create an action plan, learn the skills to either carry out the plan yourself or outsource some of it. But it’s a bit like trying to lose weight or achieve in any sport. It’s much easier with a coach! 

The most satisfying part of my job is seeing business owners be successful, not just in their work, but also in their work-life balance.

The newly developed Tourism Business Success Programme is designed to help businesses with this.
It's starting next week (in Te Anau, followed by Invercargill, Dunedin, Queenstown and Central Otago and in June in Northland) and I am so excited to work with the businesses that have registered.

There are a few spaces available, so just do it! There is 50% NZTE funding available for qualifying businesses. 
Invest in your business and yourself, get the support, learn, be inspired and thrive! Your return on investment will be worth it, that’s my promise!
For more information, go to:  https://www.smartraining.co.nz/2018-tourism-business-success-programme.html  

Sending  your customers a long link, such as a google map location, doesn't look very user-friendly. 
For example:
www.google.co.nz/maps/place/1+Ballarat+St,+Queenstown+9300/@-45.0327461,168.6583389,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0xa9d51d8136d4fbad:0xf9434d5b68db6127!8m2!3d-45.0327461!4d168.6605276?hl=en .

Another example of a long url is a link to your Tripadvisor review page . Sending this link to your customers to encourage reviews is a great idea, but the long link looks terrible.

But don't despair! It's very simple little tool to  shorten your url.

It’s called the Google URL shortener. Just go to: https://goo.gl/

Cut and paste the long URL in the box and click SHORTEN URL. The shortened URL is now: www.goo.gl/SJaKVv   ​. That looks a lot better, doesn't it!

​Till next week, Marijke.

As I’m going to do more interviews and videos as part of the Tourism Business Success Programme, I invested in a new microphone. It’s the Rode VideoMicMe and you can attach it to your smartphone for amazing sound.

I ordered the product from a NZ online company called Rubbermonkey.co.nz. I had never heard of it before but found it by searching for the VideoMicMe. The reason I trusted the company is that it had an About Us page with the team that works there, their names, roles and contact details. They also have two physical locations, which made me feel confident to buy a product with them.

So what happened? 

Well, I was absolutely delighted with their service. I had one question and rang their 0800 number and then placed the order. This was YESTERDAY! The product just arrived an hour ago. That is amazing! (for New Zealand – deliveries from the North to the South Island usually take at least three days!) It had a tax invoice in it, and a few banana flavoured lollies (Rubber Monkey, get it)? That was cute.

Needless to say that I’ll give them a rave review and would buy from them again. I do hope they ask me for a review and keep in touch!

To get more and better reviews, first of all: delight your customers! Then ask them for a review and keep in touch with regular updates. This will increase you direct business too!

Till next week, Marijke

Oh, and don't forget to register for the Tourism Business Success Programme - registrations now open but filling up! Starting soon!