Jason Greehaigh aims to give small business owners the opportunity to gain insights on all areas of business with his new 360 Business Expo.
“Having been an owner of a small business for the past 19 years, I know the many and varied challenges facing SME business owners, entrepreneurs and startups,” Greehaigh tells Kochie’s Business Builders (KBB) of his motivation to start the 360 Business expo
“One of the biggest challenges is keeping up to date with the very latest information and market trends required to run a business efficiently. There are so many ‘hats’ that you need to wear, across the areas of marketing, HR, business development, financial management, technology – the list goes on.
Greenhaigh says where most conferences hone in on a specific area of small business, such as issues with cash flow, or IT, he tells KBB with 360 he wanted to give SMBs a broader view.
“360 will be a ‘one-stop shop’ for all SME business owners wanting to source business solutions across a whole range of topics, under one roof for two day,” he explains.
“Many business owners spend too much time working ‘in’ their business (as the ‘technician’), and so little time working ‘on’ their business (as the ‘leader’). Hopefully 360 will provide that opportunity for them to take a step back from the day-to-day running of their business, and think a bit more strategically. It’s all about owners taking their business to the next level as quickly as possible.”
Greenhaigh believes the climate is perfect to hold an event such as 360. He suggests we live in a fast-paced world and for business owners, it’s no different.
“As a business owner, it is extremely challenging to stay up-to-date with all of the changing market trend – let alone to stay ahead of the curve. There is currently no event in the marketplace that addresses all of the different issues facing an SME business. That’s why it is time for an event like 360. An event that business owners can attend that doesn’t ‘deep dive’ into one particular aspect of running a business but touches on every aspect of staying ahead in a competitive marketplace. “
In order to make the event as accessible as possible for small business owners, Greenhaigh has made the pricing of the expo especially affordable. A ticket to the two-day event costs just $20.
“We know times are tough and businesses aren’t flushed with funds to spend on this type of event.
But at the same time, we wanted to ensure that visitors to the Expo made some financial (and emotional) commitment to the event, rather than simply putting on a free event with no commitment required by potential attendees.”
He says there is no doubt attendees will walk away from the event having increased their knowledge and with more motivation for running their business.
“The two pillars for the event are education and inspiration, as such he’s already lined up a list of impressive guests and attendees, with more to be announced.
Amongst those in attendance will be the Federal Minister for Small Business, Craig Laundy, who will officially open the event as well as our very own David Koch delivering insights for SMBs.
Greenhaigh expects there will be around 40 speakers in the final lineup as well as networking lounge, around 50 exhibitors providing business solutions for SMEs and the opportunity to receive a free professional headshot and/or 60-second promotional video for use on their social channels
He hopes business owners will walk away from 360 feeling more at ease with running their business.
“Having access to so much ‘cutting-edge’ information across so many different aspects of their business will enable them to spend some time working ‘on’ their business, rather than working ‘in’ it – something that is so important for any business owner to do.
For Greenhaigh, events such as 360 are vital to the ongoing health and success of the SMB community.
“There is nothing like getting face-to-face with business experts and other successful business owners,” he says.
“Research shows that the absorption and retention of information is far greater when all of the senses are involved. I love the saying – ‘Tell me and I’ll forget; show me and I may remember; involve me and I’ll understand’.
“Additionally, running a business can be very lonely. The buck stops with you. Many business owners are making important decisions that have an impact on employees and their families. Many business owners also work on their own and have no-one to share the load with. This can be challenging in so many ways.
We want 360 to be a place for business owners to come and share their load. We want to create a business community that is supportive and inviting to all business owners.
The 360 Business Expo takes place on September 25-26, 2018 at the International Convention Centre at Darling Harbour. For more info visit www.360businessexpo.com.au/
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