“Disastrous.  Catastrophic.  It’s a great time to start a business!”  This is how marketing and strategy consultant Izaskun Gurruchaga views the current state of affairs in Spain.

Izaskun moved to Barcelona 12 years ago after a successful marketing career in the Basque Country.  She spent nine years running successful businesses with a partner, then, after a change in personal circumstances, ventured out on her own.  Izaskun decided to use her experience in large corporations and small companies to help other people set up their own businesses.

“I help ordinary people start small businesses.  Having worked in large companies, I understand how businesses work, but the information can often be complex and confusing for the average person.  I help them understand this advice and teach them how to put it into practice.”

Gurruchaga says that, despite the crisis, many small businesses are actually growing at the moment.  “We have a saying inSpain– ‘tener cintura.’  This basically means that you must be agile and flexible and able to adapt to new situations.  Business owners who are willing to adapt will survive.  Imagine if you have a current that is constantly pulling you left, but you want to go right.  At some point, you must rethink the direction you are headed in order to succeed.”

“I think that in hard times, people become tougher and start to use their minds more.  They realize they must do things out of necessity.  After the civil war in Spain, many people started their own businesses, very much like now.  In Europe, we have always had a security net, but this is running out for some people and they’re forced to react differently.”

“The most important thing to do right now is to be aware of what is happening in the market and adopt new strategies.  Small business owners must revisit the basic principles of marketing: place, product, promotion and price.  If one of these areas isn’t working, then they must change the way they are doing things in order to get a different result.  The product La Vida Es Bella is a perfect example of this.  Clever entrepreneurs took a product that travel agents have been selling for years – weekend getaways.  They repackaged the product, found a more effective method of distribution and, as a result, they have been hugely successful.  You see them in shops all overBarcelona.”

Izaskun believes that the crisis can actually be good for people.  “People are used to having a secure job, but now many realize they can’t sit around at home waiting for opportunities to come their way.  They have to get out there and create opportunities.   This is why networking events are so valuable.  Events like the Business Lunch are a great way to make contacts and to create a professional exchange where people help each other.  Networking events are also great for word of mouth referrals and to establish a positive reputation in the community, which now, is more important than ever.’

For more information on Izaskun Gurruchaga, visit her LinkedIn page.

Speakers included: Maité Freixa of Hammam and Henna ecological hair salon, Birgitte Knaus, portrait painter and artist, Nina Heindrichs from Better Business International, Bea Salas with BCNin and Mayte Bruguera, General Manager of Barcelona Crew.  Speakers donated items for the raffle and a few lucky people walked away with valuable prizes including event tickets, books, a DVD and beauty products for men and women.

The next Business Lunch will take place on Wednesday, 14th March from 13:30-15:30 at the CentOnze restaurant in the Le Mérdien Hotel, La Rambla 111.    http://www.lemeridienbarcelona.com/en/bars-and-restaurant

We are continually working to improve the event and welcome comments and suggestions from our members. Feel free to contact Theresa Mills, Event Coordinator, at mmtc72@hotmail.com if you have questions, suggestions, or if you would like to be a speaker at the next event. We look forward to seeing you in March!

Social networking web sites started as a way to connect with friends, family and colleagues via the internet.  Yet they’ve rapidly expanded into a global phenomenon that has been responsible for changing the way the world communicates.  Thanks to social networking web sites, people who once had no voice can now be heard, censored information has been shared for the first time in history, the oppressed have used it as a tool to help change government and unknown talents have become famous overnight.

There is, however, one area that remains relatively unexploited.  Social networking as a business tool.  This month, we are interviewing Rohan Hall, a visionary who has grabbed hold of this idea and used it to create a software tool that helps small and medium business owners promote and monetize their businesses utilizing the immense power of social networking.

Originally fromJamaica, Rohan worked in theUnited Statesas a technology consultant.   He worked for companies such as HP, Honda, Oracle and Lockheed, eventually starting his own company rSitez and writing a book Stop Working.  Hall’s successes in the States led him to look abroad for other opportunities and three years ago he moved his family toBarcelonawhere he set to work on his latest endeavor – Cool Mojito.

Cool Mojito was born out of the idea that social networking web sites had the potential to be used as highly-effective marketing tools for small and medium businesses, giving them an advantage in this new emerging market.

“Many people still don’t see the value of social networking sites as a business tool,” said Hall. “Social media is the most critical tool that businesses can have today and going forward.  In the past, businesses relied on offline media like television, newspapers and radio to market their businesses.  This was expensive, very untargeted and a great barrier for the small business owners to acquire new customers primarily because of cost and access to resources.  Social media changes this because it offers “word of mouth” endorsements that can create viral marketing opportunities for businesses.  Businesses can promote their brands and sell their products to a global audience easily and affordably.  Social media levels the playing field significantly for businesses and Cool Mojito is playing an important role in this.”

“This will be a new Golden Age for business,” he continued.  “If you already have a company, this is the time to reinvest in your business and prepare for what’s coming in the future.  If you want to start a business, there’s no better time than today.  Tough economic times create gaps in the market.  People need to think creatively and utilize every tool at their disposal to get the edge on the competition.  Cool Mojito offers this edge, and best of all, it’s free.”

Despite his strong ties to online social networking, Hall still believes that face-to-face networking events like the Business Lunch, remain an integral part of social networking. “Events like the Business Lunch offer serious business professionals the opportunity to meet when they might not otherwise have the chance.  They share ideas, information and most important, valuable contacts.  I have been attending the Business Lunch for three years and will continue to go.  You never know who you’re going to meet or what opportunities you might find.”

To learn more about Rohan Hall and Cool Mojito, visit: www.coolmojito.com

The party is this Saturday 17th December at the Reform Club DUVET (C / Còrsega, 327), right in the court of Paseo de Gracia with Diagonal Diagonal Metro, very central, chic and exclusive. It will be a very special event!

Conditions of access / Condiciones de Acceso

Free entry for those on the list until 01.00 or 10euros pp with a drink included; 15 euros pp with 2 drinks / Lista GRATIS hasta 1.00 o 10 euros con 1 copa; 15 euros con 2 copas

from 01.00 until 03.00, 12 euros discount with one drink;17 euros discount with 2 drinks / de 1.00 a 3.00 descuento 12 euros con 1 copa; 17 euros con 2 copas

Normal entry without list is 17 euros with one drink / La entrada normal sin listas es 17 euros con 1 copa

Booking details

Telephone Alicia on: 627 099 253

**Please note – upon arrival to the venue, please mention Biz Lunch Guest to gain free entry before 1am**

Photographs of one of our previous events. Photographs taken by Chris Willan Professional Photography.

The successful attendance was a direct result of the efforts of members who invited friends and associates from the past and present.

Speakers at this month’s lunch included Stijn Teeuwen from Lucas Fox International Properties, Rebecca Castleton, career coach and founder of Castleton Associates and Christophe Cassan, events organizer and live music promoter.  Cassan’s company, Chispas Music, donated the prize for this month’s drawing, which was won by Penelope Olij-Perez, marketing director for Konnekt Telecommunications.

The December Business Lunch has already been scheduled for Wednesday, 21^st December from 13:30-15:30, so make sure you put it on your calendar!  The Christmas-themed lunch will take place at the Brasserie Flo restaurant, Jonqueres 10, Barcelona. Reservations for the decemeber Lunch may be made at the event page.

As always, we welcome your comments and suggestions.   We look forward to seeing you at the December lunch!

This month’s event will be held on Wednesday, 30^th of November from 13:30 until 15:30 at the Brasserie Flo restaurant in Barcelona.

We are happy to introduce ‘Success Stories’ at the lunch – inspirational speakers who will briefly share their secrets of success.

Also, in an ongoing effort to develop more business contacts for members, we ask that you invite a guest to this month’s lunch.

Please take a moment to register for the event online under the Events section, or contact Corrina Mills at corrina.mills@spectrum-ifa.com or Jonathan Goodman at jonathan.goodman@spectrum-ifa.com.

In order to keep the event running efficiently, we ask that you give 12-hours notice for cancellation.  Please also let us know in advance if you require a vegetarian menu.

We look forward to seeing you at the November Business Lunch!

“Never waste a crisis!” says career coach Rebecca Castleton, founder of Castleton Associates.  Rebecca is the first in our series of interviews with inspirational Biz Lunch members.

Rebecca has worked as a successful career coach for over 20 years, with clients based in three countries.  She uses her experience as a career coach, her psychology background and her skills in branding and marketing, to help clients ‘reinvent’ themselves and create their own personal brand.

“People come to me for different reasons,” she says.  “They may have lost their job, are re-entering the job market or are simply looking for a more fulfilling career.  Sometimes people come to me not knowing what they want, but they know they want a change.  Whatever their reason, background or age, I can help them develop a new life plan.  During the coaching process, I conduct assessments to discover their strengths and interests and together we develop strategies to apply these skills in work and life situations.  My clients may not know what they want when they start, but in the end, they find clarity.  When they have clarity, they are able to recognize opportunity.”

Rebecca believes it is possible for her clients to be successful no matter what the economic climate.   “Never waste a crisis!” she says.  “There are some big challenges in Spain at the moment, but these provide opportunities.  We need to look realistically at ourselves and the market and create opportunities for change.  It may mean starting a business online, working as a liaison with an organization from another country or even finding the needs here and innovative ways to meet them.  Use whatever resources are at your disposal and keep talking to people.”

Like most successful business people, Rebecca recognizes the value of networking.  “Organizations like the Biz Lunch are the best way to connect with people and learn about job openings.  80 percent of jobs are found in the ‘hidden job market’ before they are ever posted.”

“Take the opportunity to expand your world both personally and professionally.  The Biz Lunch and other networking events in Barcelona offer a chance to meet others, learn about other careers and begin to create the career and life that you want.”

To learn more about Rebecca Castleton, visit her web site at: http://www.castletonassociates.com

Guests were greeted with a welcome cava and canapés, where they spent an hour getting to know one another.  The ‘meet and greet’ was followed by a sit-down lunch in a more intimate setting where members could engage in more in-depth conversations with their peers.

The highlight of the afternoon came when Jonathan Goodman, Development Director forSpainfor the Spectrum IFA Group (Independent Financial Advisers), sponsors of the Biz Lunch, addressed the group about the ever-changing face of the event.  “We must consider options to make the Business Lunch more successful,” he said.  “We are currently researching ways to reduce the cost of the lunch, including working with the venue to find lower-priced alternatives for the meal, without compromising the standard.”  He also encouraged existing participants to take a more active role in recruiting new members.  “Bringing in new members benefits us all.  Every new person is a potential new client for each and every one of us and a valuable business contact.”

Plans for next month’s Business Lunch are already underway.   Keep an eye on this web site for additional details in the next week.  As always, we appreciate your comments and suggestions as well as your participation.   If you’re interested in being a speaker at the next event, let us know.  In addition to valuable exposure at the event, speakers will be highlighted in the follow-up article on the Business Lunch web site.  We look forward to seeing you in November!

Theresa has worked in events for over 15 years organising everything from conferences and executive retreats to wine tasting events and golf tournaments. 

Many of you will have met her at the last event but those who have not will meet her on our next events so it would be nice to introduce yourselves and say hello.