The YTM member community value relationships, learning and community. All members, men and women with a desire to build a profitable business, benefit from the opportunity to have purposeful conversations, and enjoy connecting with diverse perspectives through our unique facilitated formats.

Meet YTM Member, Janine Stratford, Coaching Focus

Today, we would like to introduce you to our member, Janine Stratford, a Leadership Coach, Career Strategist and Coach-Trainer and the Founder of Coaching Focus; the company that is developing role model leaders in schools across Australia and New Zealand. Janine believes that 'you can't be what you can't see', and when working with staff in schools is inspiring and training them to be great leaders; role model leaders actually, for the students, staff and parents in their communities so they have leaders around them on which to model themselves.

“What attracted you to YTM business networking events in the first place ?”

Janine: “ I've been in business now for five years, but I haven't been a member of YTM for all that time. I stood back a bit, and determined what I needed in my early years of the business. Kerryn kept appearing in my LinkedIn feed. So there was this constant reminder that there was somebody out there that could actually provide me support.

I joined YTM because I had travelled the road of being in my own business , I'm a solopreneur. It’s quite lonely when you're trying to work out everything on your own. YTM has really filled an incredible need, that I identified to be with people who have the same attitude, like minded, I guess you'd call it. All working through business problems, such as appointment calendars, planning, lots of tools and software that you just don't know about, until you come together as a group of business people and share. YTM is a really wonderful place for that sharing.

I have learned so much from the other business people in the community. There’s such expertise, such knowledge and experience to tap into. I really value the time I spend with them.

For me, being at YTM, it's not actually about me growing my business with the people in the network, mind you, I have actually engaged in business with several people in the network. And that's all come about organically as relationships have developed, then the trust in people's abilities and what they offer has developed, and then I have engaged with them for my business. It’s been incredibly helpful and the business relationships continue.

But… that's not why I went to YTM. I went there to find people who are just like me, who are travelling the road, the same as me in small business, and learn from each other. YTM has sessions where you listen and learn from speakers. Some of those are outside speakers from the network, some of them are inside the network . The wealth of knowledge is just incredible. “

“Do you find it hard to reframe what speakers might be talking about for your in regards to your business?”

Janine: “No, I don't find it difficult to reframe. The sessions can be about a range of things, including:

marketing your business
some of the workings inside your business
how to maintain the customer experience
how to keep your business safe on online and in business law
or, accounting systems.

It’s all valuable information for my business. As you know, in a small business you have to have wear many hats. You have to be the marketer, accountant, the HR person, the administrator, everything has to happen. And so, I tap into all the different presentations and activities really for all of those different hats that I have to wear. “

“What is something else that makes YTM different?”

“ Kerryn has designed tools and formats to make the conversations of value and prompt thinking. Such as a card that might ask you to respond “What have you done differently this week, that's helped to grow your business ?” and you think , what have I actually done! It really makes you think, … well, if you haven't done something, why haven't you, what are you going to do? I really like that. I'm a leadership coach so I like to encourage people forward and those questions are really helpful”.

“How they found YTM online?”

Janine: “I think YTM online is really great. It allows everybody to interact. People have been with YTM for a number of years and know each other really well, but there's that comfortable conversation that happens, the pace of the event is good in it allows everybody to get involved, you don't feel like you haven't had a voice. I really encourage people to come along”.

“Have you got a tip for other business owners about networking?”

Janine: “My tip would be to try YTM and see whether or not the group, and the atmosphere suits you. Because most of the time, I think you'll find you'll get incredible benefits out of it. If you just let the experience, soak in, and let you absorb and get to know other business people. And don't think of a networking event as a pressure, because that relationship will build over time, they don't have to go in and do a big sell at a networking event, that's not what it's about building relationships. And so you just go along and you absorb the experience and get to know other people and get to know you, and then the relationship builds, and the business if you're looking for that from that network, it will come. If the timings right.”

If you would like to sharpen your skills, regularly expand your knowledge and combine business networking that offers much more than traditional business networking events check out our YTM Membership and benefits to our community HERE

Kerryn Powell, is founder of Your Time Matters and a connection strategist, conversation starter and network catalyst who thrives on building communities and creating the right connections for those seeking strategic allies to make a positive impact through connection, contribution and community.

Tapping into her diverse career portfolio, Kerryn draws on her experience, skills and knowledge to encourage, support and empower business owners, professionals, teams and individuals to create true connection through authentic conversations that build real relationships, boost confidence and generate business and opportunities.

For the past 7 years, Kerryn has provided opportunity for more than 3000 business owners to engage in face to face events through her business, Your Time Matters. She can help you, too!

BOOK a discovery call TODAY, and have a conversation with Kerryn to see how she can help you.

What do you gain from business networking?