Lightbulb

The hottest new marketing tool is social networking. It is available to everyone, but how do you use it? This overview gives you the opportunity to analyse what web technologies are available, how they can benefit your organisation and which direction you want to go with them. Topics include the business potential of blogs, wikis and twitter and how to set them up. This course will give you the knowledge to enable you to diversify your web strategies and use social networking, helping make the internet really work for your business.

To make use of social networks you do not need to be an experienced writer or to know the intricacies of Microsoft Office. One of the delights of social networking (and of blogging) is that they are tools that almost anyone can use.

Entry Requirements

This module assumes you have basic computer skills including access to the internet and keyboard use.

Student instructions

Classes will start promptly at the designated time. Please bring a notebook and pen to the class.

Topics

• How in recent years the concept of social networking has changed to the point that for many people it has become synonymous with the Internet
• The new “hot” sites and how people are using them
• How you can use social networking sites to tell your own story or deliver your message
• Simple blogging and how to determine whether blogging is for you
• Collaborative environments and
• How local businesses and community organisations are making use of social networks

Career prospects

Increasingly, potential employers are looking at social networking sites in their efforts to profile potential employees. Social networking skills can be used purely to keep in contact with friends and acquaintances although increasingly, they are being used to grow business networks and develop sales leads.

Presentation

Classroom delivery with presentation and hand-outs. Tutor’s computer is connected to the Internet to provide real life examples. Presentation is complemented with discussion and exercises plus an opportunity to explore different aspects of social networking. Course participants will have password access to tutor’s own learning website where they can download further course notes and continue the learning process.

Outcomes

Participants will gain a broad understanding of the use and abuse of online social networking and how such networks can be used to enhance personal and business engagement. You will also learn some of the pitfalls to avoid.

This course will introduce you to web analytics that will give you valuable insights into your website traffic and online marketing campaign effectiveness. Find out how many visits your website is actually receiving, where the people are coming from and what they are looking at while in your site, as well as the key words used in searching for your site and invaluable Search Engine Optimisation information.

Entry Requirements

Basic computer skills are required as well as some knowledge of websites and how to use a browser.

Student Instructions

Please bring a pen and note paper and a memory stick/USB flash drive for saving and taking your work home.

You will also need:
Username and password for Google or Gmail account and Access details to your website which includes your website address and the Username and password from your website host.

Delivery style

Lecturing, demonstration and practical/hands on. Feedback and question sessions actively encouraged

Outcomes

Use Google Analytics to learn how visitors actually interact with your site so you can make informed site design improvements, drive targeted traffic, and increase your conversions and profits.

Don’t use a blog to sell products – use it to sell it yourself. That’s just the first of many tips and techniques you’ll learn in this fast moving session on the latest way to keep your business in front of potential customers. Just one element in social networking, it is arguably the most important, yet one of the hardest to implement with real effect. We’ll show you how.

To start blogging you do not need to be an experienced writer or to know the intricacies of Microsoft Office although if you are a Word 2007 user, it may give you additional options for writing and posting your blogs. One of the delights of social networking and of blogging is that they are tools that almost anyone can use.

This course will be of special interest to those who need to develop online information and marketing skills for themselves, as a member of an organisation or for their own business.

Entry requirements

This module assumes you have basic computer skills including access to the internet and keyboard use. It also assumes you have a basic knowledge of social networking as applied to the Internet.

Student Instructions

Classes will start promptly at the designated time. Please bring a notebook and pen to the class.

Topics

• We look at the phenomenon of blogging as part of your online promotional strategy (either self or business) and the key principles you need to keep in mind when setting up a blog
• We will discuss how you should organise your blogging activity and how you can use blogging for profit
• We look at the top blogging sites and in detail at Blogger and WordPress
• We will demonstrate how to set up and manage a blog using Word, Blogger and WordPress.
• Finally we look at how local businesses and community organisations are making use of blogs

Career prospects

Increasingly, potential employers are looking at blogging as part of the customer relations management (CRM) strategy. Internally, blogs on the corporate website are a means of informing and training staff. An ability to understand blogging will be an added skill to anyone in business dealing with clients and customers (and isn’t that just about everyone?). SO if you are in CRM or HR then chances are that blogging skills will soon become an essential part of your skill set.

Presentation

Classroom delivery with presentation and hand-outs. Tutor’s computer is connected to the Internet to provide real life examples. Presentation is complemented with discussion and exercises plus an opportunity to explore different aspects of social networking. Course participants will have password access to tutor’s own learning website where they can download further course notes and continue the learning process.

Outcomes

Participants will gain a broad understanding of the use of blogging with special emphasis on a business environment. Real life examples will give you ideas for your own business.

Informative and fun, this preparatory course introduces you to the exciting and diverse industry of events management. From birthday parties to business functions, from garden weddings to themed night club events, from business networking functions to major openings, this course covers idea conception to project management reality. Offering step by step guidelines along with shared experiences, this course will provide you with a framework for entering into the upbeat and challenging world of events management.

Entry Requirements

Although not directly required in order to participate in this program, it will be in the attendees interest to have basic computer skills in spreadsheets (MS Excel), word documents (MS Word), Email and Internet in order to more accurately manage larger events.

Student Instructions

Please bring your pens (colours are good), paper, plastic sleeves and/or small binder for handouts, an event idea and a great attitude! 

Topics

• Role of the Event Manager
• Skills and Attributes Required
• Event Types
• Wedding planning
• Understanding the Client’s (Event) Needs
• Documentation and Event Paperwork
• Developing Themes and Concepts (the vision)
• Logistics
• OH&S – Risk Management (& insurance)
• Staff & Contractors
• Marketing your Event
• Budgeting
• Event Sponsorship
• Time management/scheduling
• Managing the Project
• People Management
• Creating a memorable experience
• Event Conclusion

Career Prospects

The exciting world of events management whether for a company or on a voluntary basis.

Delivery Style

Classroom delivery.

Outcomes

Students will be confident in performing basic Event Management tasks. Student will have templates, tip sheets and case studies to use as reference points for continued study or work in the industry.

A student quote . . . Barbara Cowen-Grant was an excellent facilitator. Her knowledge, experience and ability to deliver to a very diverse class were fantastic - we had many different levels of experience in the class and she was able to meet all of our requirements and needs efficiently and effectively – B Halliwell

This course is specifically designed for small business or professionals who want to learn how their own profitability can be enhanced and/ or their costs reduced by effective strategies that make use of the internet. During this course, participants will learn how to develop a web strategy tailored to their own business needs. With the emphasis on small business, this course will guide participants through the basics of the internet and how it is being used successfully by others to drive sales, marketing and customer service

Entry Requirements

This course assumes that participants have a basic knowledge of computers and a limited understanding of the internet – especially for business.

Student Instructions

Please bring a pen and note paper

Topics

Week 1 – Introducing a range of topics emphasis on social networks and blogs – also Skype and image optimisation with practical examples.
Week 2 – Social Networking – in detail and different options available. Elements common to most SNS as well as demographics of various popular sites to help you decide which is the right one for you or creating your own website may be the answer for you.
Week 3 – Blogging and microblogging. Multimedia such as YouTube (for video) or Flickr (for photographic records). How to set up an manage a blog and review l examples of local companies.
Week 4 – focuses on visibility. This module will discuss the techniques for getting yourself found on the internet. The course ends with a discussion of payment gateways – from PayPal to setting up full merchant facilities.

Delivery Style

These modules are designed for interactive learning. While a course manual will be available to students, much of the classroom presentations and discussion will focus on the needs of class members. Each session includes a tutorial session in which students can test their ideas or be shown possible solutions for their own individual needs.

Outcomes

At the end of this course you will be able to design a web strategy for your own business that focuses on your strengths and compensates for any weaknesses. You will understand those strategies that work and appreciate that there is no “one size fits all” solution . Through discussion and “brainstorming” you will develop insights into those elements that you may want to incorporate into your own business strategy. The course ends with a workshop in which you are able to present your own web strategy for peer review.

This course will provide small business owners with a simple strategy and effective marketing tips to create a successful marketing campaign for their business. The topics include defining the market position, marketing schedules, plans and budgets, determining target markets, writing surveys, creating effective press releases, creating powerful marketing campaigns, Internet presence and digital marketing (email marketing, social marketing).

Entry Requirements

You need to be business minded people and/or small business owners to get the most benefit from this course

Student Instructions

Please bring pen and note paper

Topics

• Overview of Marketing defining your market position
• Determining target market creating surveys
• Promotion schedule, preparing budgets
• What is publicity?
• The power of free publicity
• Watching the news, reading papers
• Advertising – paid marketing tools
• Creating memorable marketing messages
• Dangers on advertising
• Return on investment
• WWW – The Gold Mine
• Email marketing
• Social Networking

Career Prospects

N/A

Delivery Style

Outcomes

Students will be able to implement effective marketing strategies for their own business. They will gain knowledge in the current marketing trends and have overall understanding of Marketing for Small Business.

Window dressing, merchandising, lighting and ticketing can create attention and increase sales. Learn the introductory principles used in this interesting career option from a teacher with over 30 years experience in the industry.

Two Course Special Offer

Enrol in both the Retail Merchandising and Super Selling Today courses and receive a discount of $40. Contact the office on 5581–8301 or enquiries@lightbulb.edu.au to take advantage of this offer!

Entry Requirements

None

Student Instructions

Student to bring pen and paper.

Topics

• Window dressing
• Group merchandising
• Psychology of colour
• Theme planning
• Design principles
• Effective use of props

Career Prospects

Window dressing for retail outlets. This is also a valuable skill for all sales staff.

Delivery Style

learn the principals of design and then complete the course with an individual presentation display.

Outcomes

You will be able to display items in a more eye-catching manner, using the design principals learned to increase sales and the appeal of a product .

How big is the World Wide Web? Netcraft estimated 182 million sites were ‘out there’ in 2007 so how do you get noticed! A business website needs to be easily found to maximise its effectiveness for marketing & communication. Learn the inside information on not only how to have your website found by the search engines but to ensure you maximise your ranking.

Entry Requirements

none

Student instructions

Please bring pen and notepaper

Topics

• What are search engines
• Brief History
• How search engines work
• Search engine optimisation (SEO)
• White hat vs black hat
• Organic SEO techniques
• SEO as a marketing strategy

Most companies in Australia are involved in selling something – either products or services – and this creates a high demand for skilled sales professionals. Super Selling Today is designed to develop skilled sales professionals, whether the participant has had previous sales experience or not. It is suitable for anyone aspiring to a career in sales or any salesperson wanting to improve their selling skills. Super Selling Today is based on the best elements from sales training programs used by major retailers in Australia and abroad.

Two Course Special Offer

Enrol in both the Retail Merchandising and Super Selling Today courses and receive a discount of $40. Contact the office on 5581–8301 or enquiries@lightbulb.edu.au to take advantage of this offer!

Entry Requirements

None

Student Instructions

Please bring a pen and notepaper

Topics

Understanding your Market; Getting to know your Customers; Becoming an Expert in your field; Building a Client Base; The Seven Steps of Super Selling; Promoting Yourself; Telephone selling; The Ethics of Selling and Reaping the Rewards.

Career Prospects

The employability of anyone aspiring to a career in retail or the service industry would be greatly enhanced by completing this course. Those seeking promotion in these industries and experienced salespeople wanting to lift their sales performance would also benefit. For anyone contemplating starting their own retail or services business this course is essential.

Delivery Style

The course is presented in five, 3-hour learning sessions. Each session involves group discussion, Q & A and group exercises. Participants will have opportunities to practice their new skills in informal role plays conducted in a relaxed, supportive environment. Colourful data projection is used in all learning sessions and participants receive handouts (fact sheets) to keep as a resource.

Outcomes

On successful completion of this course, participants will be ready to practice their new skills in any retail or service industry.