A Quest for the Surviviors

Welcome to the New Year of 2009, but what can we expect from this New Year and new beginning?. We could sit back and continue to listen to the media sharks, hacking huge lumps of meat out of the credit crunch and turning it into a fatal Crisis. We could start counting our pennies, withdrawing our cash, and start to build air raid shelters to protect us from the falling financial blocks of the world. This is exactly what the media want to see, it gives them more news. When people become desperate, they do crazy things, crazy things make front page headlines for the largest newspapers of the world. Why shouldn't they fuel the worst financial disaster since the wall street crash of the late 1920's. Before long we should be reading about great depressions, and prohibition shouldn't we?
The future is what we determine it to be, suddenly everyone understands stocks and shares, they are all concerned by the price of oil, yet they have never bought a barrel, so why do we care?. We care about the price of petrol at the pump, we care about the price of food in the supermarket, we care for today, and we care for tomorrow, and if we have enough money to get us through the next two days, then we can deal with the next two thereafter.
We have all become financial extremists over the last 12mths, and we all have become wild gypsy's reading crystal balls.
The truth is, nobody knows what the recession will hold, but if you are ready for a challenge, then there is one right in front of you for 2009. We can all turn and look for easy options, but nothing has changed, we still need to work, whatever country we are in. We still seek finical freedom, and we still have bills to pay.
I suggest we stop worrying about what might happen, and we make a resolution to worry about whats happening right now, and deal with it.
Let's take the Spanish bull by the horns, and somersault it to the ground, then lets hold it there until it runs out of air.
If 2009 wants a fight then I am ready for it, and I'm taking no prisoners,
Recession, bring it on, I love a good challenge!

Christmas is coming but wheres the goose?

As Christmas begins to touch the Tenerife doormat, what can we expect for it to hold businesses in Tenerife. Such dramatic events continue to unfold around the globe, with financial affairs making top news headlines everyday. Even our favorite high street store Woolworths, we all know so well seems to be closing its doors. Retail in the UK on the high street is at its lowest ever at a time where people always spend freely and worry about the future and debt, after the new year. But that at present is not an option, and we can only brace ourselves further for what the financial affairs of the world keep throwing in our faces.
Continuing in business at such a difficult time can be very hard. But there is one industry that will thrive through this global recession, and you are starring right into it at this very moment in time.
The internet sees no fall in retail only boom. With many more people smelling the coffee and understanding how many overheads can be lost, and sales gained reverting to online strategies. It doesn't have to be expensive to start your online business. Simple store packages can be set up and have your products online with in a few hours. Connecting them directly with the giants of the web like Ebay, and Google. Your target audience is already defined and your marketing directed to the people who are looking for your products. Never has there been an easier way to place the right advertising in the right places. But competition is fierce, and finding the right product to sell, is more the mammoth task than actually selling it.
You can work from home, your garage or spare room becomes your office, and stock room. If you are cute enough you can even buy your stock as it sells, being paid in advance via internet banking systems such as pay pal, and escrow.
If all this is so easy, why isn't everybody doing it, a question you may ask. But when sitting down to the PC for the first time all becomes apparent.
Operating the sales side of your business, online, doesn't need a competent computer operative, but it dose need the correct set up, and software to start you off.
Business Pages Tenerife offer complete set up and consultations for your new business idea. Don't sit back and hope it will be OK, the future is about survival, and relying on the sole trade in Tenerife, will only crush your business, and prevent your growth. There is a whole world out there, staring into the same screen as you are now. Be part of that audience, get your products and services marketed to the world, and survive through the difficult times.
There is a goose this Christmas, it may not be edible, but its out there in cyberspace , and the survivors are all carving it up.

Network Meeting Stronger Than Ever!

The BPBA Network meeting took place on the 17th October, and was the most interesting meet of the year. With over 50 attendees, representing around 40 companies, there were plenty of people to meet and introduce your company too.
This meeting welcomed its first "Guest Speaker", who gave a very interesting speech. Rainer Kirchner is a professional economist, and offered us his views for the future. It made for interesting thought, and I think many businesses will have gone away with the idea of a reform to their current business plan. Although the gap in Tenerife seems to always be filled with a new community of tourists and residents, our eyes were opened to the future economy and how best to prepare for its changes. Simply sitting tight and hoping for the best will not benefit your business, and as Rainer informed us, we must prepare for a rough time, and changing market.
We also opened the floor and gave everyone the chance to speak and introduce their business to the room. This helped the networking tremendously, and saved valuable time when approaching potential clients.
The Business presentation was conducted by Mike from Direct Telecom, he also had some great business incentives for fellow attendees. His presentation offered some great ways to save money within our own companies offering us some excellent products they now have on offer.
This was by far the best and most informative meeting of the year, and Business Pages Tenerife would like to thank all of the attendees. The next meeting will be planned for January 2009, to coincide with the release of our new directory. This will be the second edition for the island, and will offer us all an upto date easy to use reference for the island.
Our advertising deadline will be commencing soon, if you would like to market your products and services to the largest audience in Tenerife, then please contact us on 902 881 061.
Your directory is in the same place as all of your customers, next to the phone!

Your Business is Invited!

The third BPBA Network Meeting is to be held on the 17th October, at The Bier Keller - now officially called Sound of Music, situated at the Adeje Island off the TF1.
The meeting will start at 2pm and continue through until 4pm (be sure to arrive early if you need parking).
This meeting will offer business incentives, and new opportunities to everyone who attends. We will also throw open the floor, allowing all business representatives to stand, and introduce themselves to the whole room. If you have your own business incentive that you can offer, this will be prime time to take advantage of.
We also have a guest speaker, who will be informing us of the economic future for Tenerife, and ways we can avoid business hurdles, this company speaks with vast business experience.
The network meetings have so far been a great success, with many, if not all attendees gaining new leads and sales.
Come and meet new people, ready to listen to your business message.
They cost nothing to attend but your time, and will market your business message tremendously, to a listening audience, who will help your business succeed.
The key to your businesses success, could be waiting at the next BPBA Network Meeting

BPBA Network Meeting to be held on the 17th October

As our economy like the rest of the western world struggles through the credit crunch, we all need to learn the power of local business meetings and networking. A very productive way in which we can all spread our business messages through the local community. Used powerfully all over the modern business world, networking plays a key role in any professional business plan. Meeting likeminded individuals and building a network of personal business colleagues is crucial to anyone wishing to succeed. Whether your business is large or small, everyone will at sometime need it, being part of a business network increases this dramatically.
For example, I have had many business owners come to me and insecurely say "Well, I don´t really think I will be able to sell my services at the meeting so I will give it a miss". The Business Network meetings are not the place to sell anything, and if you come with your order book, you may as well leave it in the car. The meetings are about Networking, and building your potential client list for the future. Selling yourself to a new audience who may not be in need of your product or service today, but may well be in the future. If you put a good face to your products and services, by selling yourself around the room, those people will go on and sell your ideas to others, promoting you and your products to their friends. You may not make a sale on the afternoon you arrive, but the right attitude and enthusiasm, will go on and generate sales in the close future. A general rule up for me, is to start by always passing my business cards, I always pass two to everyone I meet. This allows them to pass one on again and not lose my details. I always ensure I take a card from them, and write down a little note about the conversation I have had with the person who gave it to me. This way, when I return to my office, I can send some personal emails thanking them for their time, and talking with me, adding the personal touch with the use of my notes.
Selling yourself in this way creates a fantastic business aura about you, people like to do business with people they like, so the more people you get to like you in the network meetings, there more people who will do business with you in the future.
There is only one letter that is different between Networking and Not-working and that is the letter E, I believe this letter should stand for Enthusiasm, which is the first thing you should bring with you to a business Network meeting. This along with a pen and plenty of business cards could see you on your way to new sales and new business colleagues generating sales for you.
Business Pages Tenerife are now focusing on the local business community and building a Business Chamber. They hold the only Network meeting in the south, and every quarter the local business communities can meet and enjoy the benefits of Business Networking. The past meeting have been a great success, and 90% of the businesses who attended generated new sales. I personally know of one company who gained 4 new sales from the first meeting. These sales have turned into returning clients and now are valued customers to this company. This all began from a simple conversation and introduction at the meeting.
There are also business presentations held by local business owners, who are confident enough to stand before the room and give a brief talk about their products. These prove to be interesting with offers of incentives to the room. If you would like to present your company at the meetings then don´t hesitate to contact the team on 902 881 061.
The next meeting is set for the 17th October, and will be held at the Showtime Beirkeller, situated at the Adeje turn off, from the TF1 next to Karting Las Americas. They always start at 2pm and run until 4pm. You do not have to be a member of the directory to attend; it is open to all business owners and representatives. For any further details about the Business Chamber and the Networking opportunities it offers, you can contact Business Pages Tenerife on 902 881 061.
Business Pages Tenerife - helping to build a better future

BPBC whats it all about?

In all modern day business environments we can find help groups, support groups and Business Chambers. They are available for any individuals to seek help from, and advice which may steer them into the business world. I have attended and been involved with many chambers of commerce throughout the UK, and Business Start up groups helping people make the right decisions.

Tenerife is such a great place to live, but to do business can be very hard. Who can we ask for help and advice, with out them holding out a sweaty palm? And most of those sweaty palms are held out by nothing more than fortune tellers of the past. Finding local resources can be such hard work, breaking into new markets a daunting task. But why, why should it be any harder than the UK or other countries of the modern day world. It’s smaller, its less demanding, people are more laid back, so why should the business world be difficult to get to grasps with.

The answer to many of these questions is simple, there is no where we can go and get the straight answers. Oh yes, there are many people claiming they can help for a fee, even offering to conjure up some papers for you, that you never really needed. And all of this mounts to a very sore bill at the end of their “services”. I believe its time to change, its time to rid the island of these unskilled business operatives and make a stand. Its time for the new business generation of Tenerife, to be heard, to be seen and be counted.

Business Pages Tenerife is now developing the first Business Chamber for the Island, next to the Chamber of Commerce in the North. We aim to build a chamber where local businesses can Network, find the information they need, and give/receive helpful advice.

The second Networking event took place on the 10^th July, and was again a great success. People are beginning to see how powerful it can be, and so cost effective. The birth of the business chamber has begun, and slowly we will encourage a membership scheme. This will allow members to recognise each other and businesses who are here to help. Businesses offering first class services and sales aftercare. Standing together and forming this Business Chamber, will allow the business community to flourish, without the aid of our scrupulous advisers.

Our first objective has begun, and the construction of a committee to run the chamber in place. As the new committee members bring ideas to the table, we will grow, and reach out to everyone who wants to become involved in the Business Pages Business Chamber (BPBC).

Our next event is for Networking and will be held in October, we are expecting a turn out of 50+ businesses, from all over the island. We have now even began to attract business owners from the North, who presently really do feel the need for this kind of development.

We welcome all, and look forward to the prospects this innovative idea will bring, offering everyone the same opportunities no matter where you are from, whatever part of the globe.

We now have a fully qualified Spanish business adviser on our team, he is at hand to answer any of your business problems and is extremely efficient. As part of our Chamber vision, you can now call him, and consult with him, as a business owner in Tenerife, free of charge, courtesy of the BPBC.

Mr Fernado Bernitez

Ferea Consulting SL

BPBC Business Advisor

Tel:- 650 724 390

We look forward to meeting you all at the next event, and the continued growth of the Business Pages Business Chamber.

Business Pages Business Chambers Quartely Meeting

The Business pages Sales Director addressed the 2^nd Chamber meeting with the following speech.

“Good afternoon everybody, and welcome back to the second Business Chamber Network Meeting, brought to you by Business Pages Tenerife.

Today I would like to share with you, our survey results, from the last meeting. These are the answers that all of you provided us with.

84% enjoyed the meeting, the other 16% said it was OK!

93% of the attendees of the last meeting benefited in some way.

68% found the Presentations interesting, the other 72% had comments to help.

64% of attendees would like to become involved on a committee level.

So ok, what does this tell us?

In our assumption it tells us, that the creation of a business chamber and the opportunities that it brings, are important to us all.

The business chamber, with your support will grow, and continue to create new opportunities for everyone. But most importantly, we see the business chamber creating a voice for the individuals who are in business in Tenerife..

We all know a single business is hard to be heard, but lots of businesses, standing together is not. We have the power with a business chamber to stand up and be counted. To be heard when we need to be, and to tackle authorities and new rules and regulations that affect our futures. Along with this come the excellent benefits from networking, the creation of B2B opportunities, and importantly, meeting new friends and colleagues from the industries that surround us.

Creating a committee, for the Business Chamber, helps it to grow. It injects new ideas, and shows everyone involved, this isn’t just about Business Pages Tenerife, its about business in Tenerife. We want people to be heard, and creating a support group for that reason is the business chambers first objective.

The first committee representative has been chosen for that reason; he is our newly elected Business Consultant. Members, of this Business Chamber will benefit from his services whenever they need them, and his expertise in Spanish business will enable the chamber to flourish.

Mr Fernando Bernitez from Ferae Consulting SL

The second elected committee representative, will represent the Municipality of Adeje. Our goal is to finally cover all the municipalities in the south, and give people a direct point of call, as the chamber grows.

If you need help from the chamber, if you need information about the chamber and you live in the Adeje area, then you can now speak to Mr. William Divine, from Divine properties, Fanabe.

The third representative for the Business Chamber is Mr Graham Bennit from Kitchens by Design, Puerto Santiago.

He has been elected to represent the Los Gigantes area. He is a keen business man, with great drive and contribution for the growth, of the business chamber.

All of the new representative’s details will be on a fourth coming email,

I would like take this final opportunity to thank everyone for their attendance; we will continue to grow the chamber and its services, and together look forward to the next BPBC Meeting in October.”

The meeting was attended by 42 Businesses, and had also reached as far as Puerto del la Cruz, with local businesses showing major interest. The next Network meeting is scheduled for October, with details to follow.