Hello Venusians, welcome to my very first newsletter as CEO and owner of Venus. Wow, what a ride I’ve had over the last month. The settlement was Valentines Day and it’s been completely full on since then. I’m very definitely in my happy place though, and although my workload is pretty full on I’ll admit I’m loving every minute of it! It’s right what they say “when you’re doing what you love it doesn’t really seem like work”.

Probably the biggest lesson I’ve learned this month is about balance. To be effective in my role I need to work hard but I also need to look after myself in order to keep the pace up! A little bit of play never hurt a girl!

So what have I been up to?

Well, I’ve been down to Tauranga and caught up with our groups at a social networking event. Tauranga, of course, is where Venus was launched so will always be a special place. Met with some of our members down there over a glass of wine (I know, isn’t my job great!) and also had some RAVES in Waikato on the way through.
Last week saw me spending the week in Wellington going to meetings, spending time with the Venus Regional Management Team planning Academy workshops and events for the region for the next twelve months, and then of course, there was a social catch up where I I meet and talked to a lot of members which I always love doing.
Next week sees me in Christchurch for a new group launch (yay!), and again catching up with the Regional Management Team planning Academy workshops and programmes for the next twelve months.

Venus Academy

In each of the Regions, I’ve also appointed an Academy Manager. Maree Bryant will be managing the South Island, Paula Kruger the wider Wellington Region, Linda Crosbie, Waikato, and Kelly McFarlane the Bay of Plenty, Hawkes Bay and Auckland Regions. I will also be, over the next few weeks, announcing new Academy Facilitators in various regions.

New Look Venus

The biggest surprise is the amount of stuff I’ve had to rewrite and because of that, I’ve also decided to rebrand at the same time. It was something I had planned to do long term but Facilitator changeover really pushed things ahead by a good couple of months. The new branding, I believe is feminine yet business like, our colours are bright, bold and confident which is what I believe we need to be as an organisation. You will notice over the next couple of weeks both Facebook and the website being updated with the new graphics. Go and have a nosey – and perhaps update your profile while you’re there?

Venus Not-for-Profit/Charitable Status

I have already started working on this, I believe 150% this is what is right for Venus long term and I’m down the road with this working with a lawyer in Auckland who specialises in this. Turns out it’s quite an involved process with the IRD all over it like a rash. Requirements are quite stringent and I’m currently working through those with the IRD, my accountant and the lawyer. I also have some meeting lined up with potential board members for April – both well-known business women so keep your fingers crossed that they are keen to come on board!

Venus HQ

Jeanette Miller, Finance and Membership Manager and Lindsey Carroll, Operations and Communications Manager and myself have been working hard behind the scenes getting all the housekeeping in order. It’s amazing when you buy a business how many things need to be redone, reset up, changed and in our case rewritten as well. We’ve all been pretty full on over the last month although I think I can confidently say we’re through the worst of it and have things coming together quite nicely.

Meeting and Education Topics

This is one of the most common complaints I’ve had about Venus, that some of our topics were getting old and repetitive. Obviously, there are some we will keep as with turnover in groups it’s worthwhile doing them on a semi-regular basis as there will always be someone in your group that hasn’t heard from you before on that topic.
Because you asked for it I spent two days last week writing new education and meeting topics, I think you’ll find them quite thought provoking. Moving forward we are going to have an education topic that the following fortnight turns into the meeting topic, these are meatier topics than you are used to thus the idea of spending a fortnight focusing on them. I’ve written five with another five on the back burner bubbling away and soon to hit the light of day.

We shall also be posting the Meeting and Education Topics together in one document from now on Facebook Regional Groups, the Current Topics in Resources within the members log in area, and through your facilitator email and Venus meeting reminder.

Find your Regional Facebook Group here: Auckland, South Island, Wellington, Hawkes Bay, Tauranga and Waikato. If you are not already a member of the group, please ask to join from Facebook so that your Regional Manager can approve your request.

So, how’s Venus going for you – are you making the most of it?

Remember we can help if that’s what you need but ultimately your networking is entirely up to you. The more involved you get the more you’ll get out of it. A positive attitude and a hard work ethic go a long way in business and networking. Use the resources available on the website, visit groups, go to the social functions, get involved on FB, keep an eye on the website. Being a Venus member is about you being part of a community of like-minded business women who support, motivate, encourage, learn and grow. We can help each other as individuals but as a community, we can do so much more!

Until next month my gorgeous gals! X
Carolyn Banks
CEO Venus