Today, the RBS Breakfast Club convened once again at our favourite spot, Dome Cafe, Waikiki. While some of our regular members were off exploring Australia, relaxing in Bali, or vacationing in Europe, we were delighted to welcome new faces to our community.
New Faces at the Meeting
We were joined by Jimmy, the Economic Development Officer from the City of Rockingham, Melinda & Lee from Acton Realty, guests of Amanda from Bra Town and West Coast Swimwear. We also welcomed Ryan Mariner from Clearwater Finance and Ben Jenkin from Jenkin Property Services, both of whom were guests of Sara from Signing Australia.
Featured Presentation: Sara from Signing Australia
Sara, from Signing Australia, took centre stage as our featured presenter. She delved into the intricacies of her business, with a special emphasis on their new initiative: providing signs and signwriting services tailored for day care centres across Australia. This innovative approach has seen a significant uptake, showcasing the importance of niche marketing. Sara also championed the benefits of traditional hand-painted signs. While they might be a tad pricier initially, their longevity and reduced maintenance costs make them a cost-effective choice in the long run. We’re also excited to announce that our next meeting’s presenter will be Kristy from What A Stitch Up Embroidery.
City of Rockingham’s Initiatives
Jimmy then shed light on the City of Rockingham’s endeavours to bolster small businesses in the district. He teased the introduction of free small business workshops, promising to share more details as plans solidify. Furthermore, he highlighted the upcoming Freedom of Entry event in collaboration with the Navy based at HMAS Stirling. Freedom of Entry is a historic tradition where naval ships seek permission to enter a city, symbolizing trust and partnership. With the Federal Government pouring investments into the local navy base, the local economy is poised for a significant boost. For those keen to delve deeper into the Freedom of Entry event, find more details here.
Innovative Referral Idea
The meeting took a turn towards innovation as we introduced a novel referral idea. Post the featured presentation each week, members will share the presenter’s details with a contact, amplifying the presenter’s reach. To streamline this process, presenters will share their contact card with the RBS team beforehand. Members can then access this contact card by scanning a QR Code on the back of their name tags. A sample message members might send could be:
“Hi [Name], I’ve just seen a presentation by [Presenter] of [Presenter’s Business] and thought you might be interested. Here are their contact details. If you don’t mind, I’ll pass your details onto [Presenter] too.”
This creative use of QR codes not only enhances the presenter’s visibility but also underscores the power of community-driven marketing.
What are your thoughts on using QR codes for marketing? Share your insights with us on the RBS Breakfast Club Facebook Page
Group Discussion Highlights
A significant portion of the conversation revolved around the merits and potential pitfalls of niching in business. The group explored the concept of product/service niching, like a mechanic specialising in a specific car brand, versus customer type niching, where a business offers a wide range of services but only to a specific market. An example of the latter would be an advertising/marketing agency that covers all types of marketing but exclusively caters to the tourism and hospitality sectors.
As the meeting drew to a close, it was evident that the RBS Breakfast Club is more than just a gathering of professionals. It’s a melting pot of ideas, a platform for growth, and a testament to the power of community. If you’re interested in experiencing the camaraderie and insights of our meetings firsthand, we invite you to contact the RBS Breakfast Club and join us at our next gathering.
Until next time,
The RBS Breakfast Club Team