Sprout Business Growth

30/09/2021

Have you ever wondered why you feel uncomfortable with selling?

There are 3 main challenges that pretty much everyone faces when they sell....

Download my FREE eBook 'Significant Challenges Sellers Face Today', for some tips on how to overcome these common challenges in a way that is authentic, builds trust and is not 'salesy'.

https://mailchi.mp/b3fb8c9cfca5/sproutbusinessgrowthvip

18/08/2021

'Persistence & resilience' were common themes amongst the entries for this year's International Stevie Awards.

I am super-pumped that my business Sprout Business Growth has been recognised with Bronze Stevie Awards in 2 Categories & my book 'Selling with Heart' recognised with a Bronze Award for e-Book of the Year. Being recognised in this way validates the value that my foundations of sales success and business growth philosophies are world-class and leading the way for business owners, professionals and entrepreneurs to continue to thrive in a challenging world. To say that I am proud of the hard work and effort is an understatement.

The International Business Awards are the world’s premier business awards program. All individuals and organizations worldwide – public and private, for-profit and non-profit, large and small - are eligible to submit nominations. The 2021 IBAs received entries from organizations in 63 nations and territories.

More than 3,700 nominations from organizations of all sizes and in virtually every industry were submitted this year for consideration in a wide range of categories, including Company of the Year, Marketing Campaign of the Year, Best New Product or Service of the Year, Startup of the Year, Corporate Social Responsibility Program of the Year, and Executive of the Year, among others. This year’s competition also featured a number of categories to recognize organizations’ and individuals’ responses to the COVID-19 pandemic.

05/08/2021

ROUND 2 of the Business Basics Grant opens on the 31st of August. You need to be prepared for your best chance of securing $5k to support your business growth.

The Queensland Government Business Basics grants program provides support to businesses to increase core skills and adopt best practices.

This support includes funded activities in 5 priorities:

👉 Training and coaching
👉 Website build or upgrades
👉 Professional business advice
👉 Strategic marketing services
👉 Business continuity and succession

To be eligible for this grant, your business must:

✅ Have fewer than 20 employees at the time of applying for the grant.
✅ Have an active Australian Business Number (ABN) and be registered for GST.
✅ Have a Queensland headquarters.
✅ Have a turnover of $300,000 (excluding GST) or less for the current financial year.
✅ Not be insolvent or have owners/directors that are an undischarged bankrupt.

We work with a network of providers who can help with a range of services to support your objectives and provide a proposal to submit for approval - providing the best chance to secure funding.

Book a FREE government grant discussion to ensure you are ready!
https://calendly.com/kymcousins/call-meeting-with-kym-cousins

26/06/2021

When I meet a business coaching client for the first time, I ask "do you have a business plan?". Often their answer is...'well yes....but it's in my head!!.... Does this sound familiar? 🤪

NOW is a great time to sit down and get that plan out of your head and onto paper. I'm joining the Team at B2B Sunshine Coast as one of the expert facilitators - ready to help with a Business Planning Day on 9th July at the Buderim Goodlife Centre. You'll walk away with a Business Plan on an A3 page, having had sessions with 7 different expert business facilitators and a great day of networking.

The session is fully catered (morning tea & lunch), runs from 9am - 3pm. It's only $75 for the day and FREE for B2B Members.

There are only 30 spots available - so grab your ticket NOW - https://zcu.io/JB43

To join B2B Sunshine Coast - join now - https://zcu.io/W1D0

OVERVIEW OF THE DAY
You'll join one 6 groups of 5 people. Six 30-minute workshops will run concurrently, where you will be working with one of our expert business facilitators on each aspect of the business plan.

You will have time to reflect on key questions, record your plan on the page and if you are comfortable, share with those around you and seek feedback.

You'll receive a Workshop pack that includes the A3 version of the business plan for use throughout the day and extra resources and worksheets provided by the facilitators.

PLUS - bonus information about the government grants available to Queensland small business owners will be provided.

18/06/2021

Wow - I'm super proud of being amongst an amazing group of women as a finalist for the Sunshine Coast Business Women's Network Awards !!

Sponsored by USC: University of the Sunshine Coast, Australia

Our Micro/Small Business Woman of the Year finalists are...

Roxanne McCarty-O'Kane - Roxanne McCarty-O'Kane - Writer
Jenny Lawson - Successful Grants
Kym Cousins - Sprout Business Growth
Tamara Skok - Italia Pizza and Pasta
Renee Jarrett - Daisy Cakes and Bakes
Jordyn Clancy - Burlesque L'amour
Cass Connolly - Your Mortgage Coach
Ami Bateman - Pleasant State
Melinda Uys - Melinda Uys - Words
Ellie Degraeve - Go For Zero Australia

Congratulations!!! 🎉🎉🎉

14/06/2021

'Social Selling' is not only about Facebook and Instagram – it also includes LinkedIn, which is the world’s largest online business network.

Sprout's 'Lunch n' Learn' Webinar Series delivers monthly Webinars, designed to empower business owners, professionals and entrepreneurs with the skills, confidence and motivation to grow business success.

Click here to grab your ticket to June's LinkedIn Webinar.
https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/leveraging-linkedin-for-business-growth-lunch-n-learn-webinar-series-tickets-159063750961

This Webinar will teach you how to leverage the strengths of LinkedIn to engage with your ideal client and grow your business and influence in your industry.

You will learn how to:

• Update your Profile for maximum impact & create a Company Page for your business
• Present your professional image and build credibility (know, like, trust)
• Find and connect with potential customers to engage, create relationships and boost business success
• Highlight your thought leadership and expertise in your industry and create content that engages and attracts your ideal customer

The Online Webinar Zoom Link will be sent via email.
A replay of the Webinar, along with a copy of the slides will be available via email after the event .

LUNCH N LEARN TOPICS FOR 2021
June 22 Leveraging LinkedIn for Business Growth
July 21 Your ideal client – who are they, where are they & what are their problems
August 24 Messaging USP, Value Narrative & Pitch
September 21 Sales Mastery – goals, metrics, process, cadence, outreach
October 19 Self Belief, confidence & motivation
November 23 Building your brand, connections and community – attraction Marketing
December/January BONUS ‘Elevate 2022’ (date TBC) Vision, Goal Setting and planning for 2022

'Social Selling' is not only about Facebook and Instagram – it also includes LinkedIn, which is the world’s largest online business network

19/05/2021

The QLD Government have just released information on the latest round of Small Business Boost Grants.

You could be eligible for $5k (ex GST) if you:

✅ Have a current ABN
✅ Be headquartered in QLD
✅ Have fewer than 20 staff
✅ Have a turnover of less than $300,000 this financial year
✅ Be registered for GST

You could utilise the Grant for:

👉 Training & coaching
👉 Website build/upgrades
👉 Professional business advice
👉 Strategic marketing services
👉 Business continuity and succession

This is a fantastic chance to upgrade your website, have some sales or social media training, design a strategic marketing campaign or experience business coaching/mentoring.

You'll need a proposal to submit with your application - I'm here to support you, or connect you with specialist providers for your requirements.

DM or comment below & I'll send a link to my calendar for a complimentary chat!
Let's work through the best options for you and how best to position your submission.

You have nothing to lose & $5k to gain !! 😁

18/04/2021

To some, having real, human conversations on the phone is so 'last century' !!

Call it what you like - but one thing is for certain - it's a SECRET SALES WEAPON !!

Why? Because it has almost become a novelty. Your competitors don't pick up the phone, they send copious amounts of emails, plunge squillions into Social Media Advertising and hope that their chatbots sound 'human'. Haha - so there's an oxymoron in itself.

When all effort is made to make our technology more human, we forget that humans do business with humans, so what's wrong with just being one & have an actual phone conversation? 😂

16/04/2021

VALUE is personal. What is of value to me, may not be the same as what you find valuable.

So when you're on the phone, asking for the person on the other end of the line to spend some time talking to you, they need to know WHY! Why should they give up 10 mins of their time, or schedule a 30/60 minute meeting with you? They're not looking for someone with whom to have a chat or a coffee buddy - they're only looking for someone who can help them achieve more, do more, earn more etc.

DO YOUR RESEARCH, before every call. Google is a start, LinkedIn, Company reports and more. Value is only value to them if it's relevant. 😆

13/04/2021

YES, it's OK to leave voice messages and texts.
NO, they probably won't call you back, however when YOU CALL them back, they'll already know who you are and why you're calling.

Make your message brief and make it about them (not you). 😉

11/04/2021

'The early bird catches the worm' - we all know what that means and it can apply in catching a decision-maker early in the day before they are tied up with meetings, or a full 'to-do' list. However....first up on a Monday morning can clash with reporting and weekly planning meetings etc.

Calling first up in the morning (on any other day) has been proven to be more successful in connecting, rather than in the middle of the day. Late in the afternoon can also work quite well, however you run the risk of catching someone after a tiring, stressful day.

Make note of the times you make your calls, and start to track what days and times seem to work well for you and your target market. 😉

08/04/2021

TENACITY ✅ PERSISTENCE ✅ DETERMINATION

These 3 qualities are fundamental in being successful in sales and in starting and growing a business.

Sometimes, when my phone rings and it's a number I don't recognise, I don't always answer it and figure that if it's important, the caller will leave a message. (those who don't, are usually scammers 😂).

So, in outbound phone sales, you should leave a voicemail message and let them know you will call again. In the meantime, there are other methods of communication, which if applied as a 'combo' will demonstrate your tenacity, persistence and determination. Send a text, send an email, connect on LinkedIn and.....phone again. By that time, the prospect is very curious as to why you feel it is so important to reach them.

An outbound lead generation campaign is more than simple 'one call and give up'. 😩