I'm utterly inspired by the amazing speakers and successful entrepreneurs who spoke at Gaeltech this weekend. World class content, information for business, speakers, organisation, live streaming, communication, and OPPORTUNITY! Roll on 2016. As a young business owner and coach I had so many "Aha moments". I've attended a lot of business events in the last three years in Ireland and the USA, but Gaeltech was a penny dropping minefield, so much made absolute sense. I was also delighted to share my own success story of moving home to Ireland and starting a business.
Comhghairdeas do Paddy Farren CEO Mobileonix, Gweedore agus Siobhan - a chuir imeacht den chéad scoth ar fáil!
Here's my 9 take aways:
1. Even though we live in a digital age, when it comes to buying, people buy from people they like, know, love and trust. For example, If someone likes your Facebook page, they are telling you they trust you. It's up to you to then provide them with valuable content to make them want to buy from you. "Edu Sell - educate your fans on why they need your service" Paul O'Mahony" - of the Social Media Academy. Paul gave an exciting presentation rich with useful content on Social Media and business - I have a renewed interest in social media as a result go raibh maith agat a chara. Paul is a very sought after international speaker.
Check out out the Social Media Mastermind with Paul as a result of Gaeltech with Mobileonix.
Pat Slattery, Donna Kennedy & Paul O'Mahony at Gaeltech 2015
2. Common sense is just as important if not more important than intelligence - said Gweedore man, Paul Breslin MD of Riot Games Europe who humbly spoke about the innovative culture in his company, as well as giving insight to the gaming world. What a cool guy. If I didn't have my own business I'd be jumping over myself to get a chance to work with him and apparently I wouldn't need gaming experience. The message from Paul is you don't have to have the masters or degree and be super intelligent to make an impact, common sense is just as important. Riot Games are hiring gamers. Check out this link & share with friends.
"We embrace those who see things differently, who aren't afraid to experiment and who have a healthy disregard for the rules" Riot Games careers page. Too cool for School, I love it.
Donna Kennedy on stage at Gaeltech 2015 Gweedore
3. Building your database or your list, this is 100% vital in building a relationship with your customers and just because they don't open your email or your ezine when you send it doesn't mean they're not interested. As long as you keep sending content that is useful, helpful and valuable you're building a relationship, so when your customer is ready to purchase or the time comes when they do need your product, they are going to contact you. Bottom line is, your list of contacts is your bread and butter, nurture it.
4. Write a book - become the expert in your field. Born to Be Beautiful Donna Kennedy presented her amazing story with style. She talked about her Best Seller program and how writing a book is the quickest and easiest way to market your product. She also gave all the attendees an amazing opportunity to join Donna in a live workshop this September. My gift to myself is Donna's Book writing Workshop that will take place here in Gweedore, I've always want to write a book and this seems like to good an opportunity to pass. So I took action and signed up! I can't wait.
5. How much does it cost to get one new client and how much can be made from that client on a monthly basis. And that will be very much determined by how much value you can provide that client on a monthly basis or simply how much you help that client. This is key information in growing your business. If you want to know more about this, join Paul's Social Media Mastermind Group in association with Mobileonix.
6. People buy on emotion, not pleasure, identify the pain and then talk to that pain - "You can always talk about what you're selling, but describing what your customers want to buy is totally different. Find the distinction between the product and the proposition." Colm Lyon - Colm spoke about selling his former business for €115million and his new venture PaywithFire.
7. Ask for help and ask for help in the right places. Don't listen to people who don't get your idea or don't understand your industry and be careful who you share your ideas with. If I had listened to the advice I was given in the beginning, I would never have a successful tourism business and be coaching other businesses. Every successful entrepreneur has a business coach or mentor, this will make sure you stay in business. If you don't have one, get one.
I'm proud to have Finbarr Bradley as one of my mentors, lecturer on Green Business at Smurfit Business School as well as one of the authors of The Irish Edge - great read for any Irish Business/entrepreneur. This book will help you realise the value in place and authenticity in business. Finbarr himself, is wildly inspiring, he and I will be delivering a unique workshop on "Discovering your purpose in enterprise, email us if you would like to be first to receive information on this unique event. Expect amazingly useful content and clarity on your business values and mission.
8. Strategy is simply "where you want to be" where do you want to be in your business? Do you have a vision? "Visualisation is not just important its vital in building your business" Pat Slattery. You have to have a vision, and you have to visualise every day! Whats your vision? You must communicate that vision to your team, the people you work with need to understand, this is when you start to develop the culture of your business. Once your vision, objectives, revenue, behaviour are aligned - that's when your business starts to grow and really make progress.
9. The one message that was loud and clear throughout the weekend, and is what I live by in my business is TAKE ACTION. No matter what, they take action, move forward, make a decision then make that decision right. You cannot make progress without making decisions. I took action when I made the decision to leave my 9-5 soul destroying job in London and move home, now I have a fantastic business, living in Donegal and I've never felt so inspired. Action gets progress. Do you want progress? What action are you going to take today? The time is now and for that matter, these are the days, to hell with "they were the days", these are the days right now! Take Action.
“When you decide to stop living small and embrace your possibility, you begin to live in maturity”
Julie Sinnamon CEO Enterprise Ireland & Moira Ní Ghallachóir CEO & founder of mng
10. I met my biggest inspiration in business to date with Julie Sinnamon, an amazing woman with vision, understanding, and a genuine interest in Irish enterprise. Julie totally gets it and it's really refreshing to know she is responsible for Irish owned businesses in Global markets with Enterprise Ireland. Julie stated in her talk that there are not enough women in business in Ireland, in one example she talked about, out of 250 entrepreneurs only 7 were female.
"I want to inspire other female entrepreneurs. Are you a woman in business? Do you want my help?
Owning your own business is not only a liberating feeling but it's also meaningful work. I left my job in London 4 years ago and moved home here to Donegal, I needed to find more meaning in my life and work that had a sense of purpose, not just for money.
The clear message from Gaeltech2015 is that "rural ireland is open for business", opportunities are around every corner, now is the time, where are you in the world? Do you want to move back to Ireland and start your own business? The time will never be perfect but this might be the right time. Talk to me directly on how I can help you in your business or making the transition, it might be the best decision you ever made.
Go raibh míle maith ag Gaeltech for a wonderful life changing opportunity you created for Donegal and rural Ireland this weekend. Roll on 2016 - taking bookings now.
“Moira Ni Gallachoir’s passion for the natural and cultural landscape of her native Donegal has led her to create one of the most dynamic young businesses in Ireland. mng offers visitor experiences that range from outdoor fun events to expert explorations of a unique landscape with insights into Irish mythology and the early Celtic Saints. Donegal’s rich history, contemporary culture and natural environment are illuminated and celebrated through mng events and activities that can take you into the heart of Ireland. I have had the pleasure of working with mng and its network of specialists and have great respect for the quality of their local knowledge, organisational skills, entrepreneurial spirit and capacity to turn work into fun”
“In this globalised age, authentic experiences founded on tradition and sense of place are more valuable than ever. What makes mng distinctive is that this venture harnesses Ireland’s cultural and natural heritage as living resources. Rooted in the community, it is the essence of a green business, contributing greatly to ecological stewardship.
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“Sa ré domhandaithe seo, tá eispéiris firéanta bunaithe ar thraidisiúin agus mórtas dúthaí níos luachmhaire ná riamh. Gné faoi leith ag mng ná go n-úsáideann an fiontar seo oidhreacht cultúrtha agus nádúrtha na hÉireann mar acmhainní beo. Fréamhaithe sa phobal, is léiriú iontach é ar ghnólacht ghlas, a chuireann go mór le maoirseacht eiceolaích.
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