That is where BlackLine or any PR practioner comes in. When it comes to a business launch or start up there is usually a ‘calculated’ way that Marketing, Events and PR are each involved and sometimes the cost can be minimal, if done correctly.

For any advice feel free to Tweet us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/BlackLinePR

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1. Information

Before you begin planning your event, ensure that you have a thorough brief from your manager or client. The brief should include their objectives for the event, a budget, and any special considerations that need to be taken into account. If you don’t have a brief, schedule a meeting with your manager or client and ask them what you need to know.

2. Budget

Your budget will provide the framework for the rest of your event, and govern most of your major event planning decisions. A budget should include both your fixed and variable costs, and should be managed closely throughout your event.

Anticipate Expenses
Make a list of every cost you can think of. Include a cost for every aspect of your event, from speaker airfares to plastic cups and everything in between.

Categorise your List
Divide your list into fixed and variable costs. Categorise your costs according to each activity, such as ‘Entertainment’, ‘Catering’, ‘Marketing’. Create a separate section for anticipated income.

Estimate Costs
Estimate a cost for every item on your list. Add a contingency amount of between 3-15%, depending on how rough your estimate is and how far in advance your event is (around 3% a year is a good estimate). Once you have a confirmed cost, enter that cost and reduce the contingency to 2% (for unexpected expenses).

Anticipate Income
If this is a seminar of sorts where tickets are sold, note the following points:

Estimate your income (from registration fees, sponsorships, ticket sales, donations, product sales etc), then subtract a contingency of between 3-15 percent depending on how rough your estimate is.

Assess and re-assess your budget
Assess your budget against any budget allocation you have (or ‘break-even’ point if this is a money-making exercise). If you are over the budget allocation or cannot break even, look through the list to see where you can reduce costs, or seek new quotes.

3. Define and list what you hope to achieve

Once you have factored in the budget. It is important to work out what you want to achieve from your event and to stick to it.

Develop an event outline to help you work out your objectives and refer to it continually throughout the event process. In the event outline, detail the primary and secondary objectives of the event and how you are going to achieve and measure them.

4. Be Prepared

One of the most common mistakes made by new event planners is to launch into ‘planning’ before they have done the ‘preparation’, leaving themselves vulnerable to budget blowouts, double-booking, lost tasks and mixed messages.

Ensure that you have:

• Created a timeline: An effective event planning timeline will keep everyone on track and ensure you do not miss any important deadlines. A timeline is not just a long to-do list, it’s also a schedule of key tasks and dates that are clearly defined and easy to use.
• Note your ‘brainstorming ideas’: Decide on all the key elements of your business meeting event before you approach suppliers or lock in dates. Brainstorm your ideas to be sure you cover off every option and select the best themes, dates, speakers and venues that will make your event a success. Decide who should be involved in the planning process and schedule a ‘brainstorming’ session. Before you get creative, discuss previous events and take some time to critically evaluate them. Pay attention to what worked in the past and what didn’t, to avoid repeating previous mistakes.

Have a list of subjects to brainstorm. These are likely to include:

• Theme and decorations
• Appropriate venues and hotels
• The best dates (thinking about seasons, competing events, costs etc)
• Accommodation
• Entertainment
• The time of day (would it work best as a breakfast function, a lunch or a cocktail event?)
• Speakers and seminars
• Audio-visual tools
• Transport
• Giveaways

5. Be Organised

Once you have all the above, it is best to set everything up on a project/ speadsheet format noting time frames for everything to ensure it all keeps on track and is on target.

You will find once you plan and organise one business event, the others will come quiet easily as you have laid the correct grounding in planning that is required.

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No matter your body shape our star tips will have you at your gorgeous best on the beach this Summer.Sunbathing on the beach is about as close as most of us get to taking all our clothes off in public, it’s no wonder it can be intimidating! No matter how healthy or fit you are, some parts of your body are bound to cause concern. Our star tips will have you at your gorgeous best on the beach this summer.

« Short neck
Choose plunging necklines but steer clear of halter necks as they will draw attention to the problem.

« Narrow shoulders
Go for boob tube-style, bandeau tops that will help make your shoulders look broader.

« Broad shoulders
Halter necks are the best style to draw attention away from wide shoulders.

« Big bust
Choose something with plenty of support to prevent boobs from looking saggy.

« Flat chest
Opt for cups that contain some padding to boost your bust.

« Short body
Pick vertical stripes that will help make your body look longer.

« Pot belly
Cover a big tummy with shorts-style bottoms or a swimsuit with added control. Keep with dark colours.

« Wide hips
Pick bikini tops with plenty of detail to draw the eye away from your bottom half.

« Chunky thighs
Wear a sarong over your bikini or choose longer, shorts-style bottoms. Dark colours will work to minimize size.

« Large bum
Choose a light coloured bikini for a size-minimizing effect.

« Short legs
Choose a high-cut, skimpy bikini to add length to your legs.

« STAR TIP
Always pack a sarong for beach breaks. It can be used to cover a multitude of sins and is the ultimate speedy outfit. Wrap it around your body and tie it behind the neck for a simple sundress in which you can hit the bar straight from the beach.

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Follow our top tips to tackle any wardrobe disaster
Time to clear out the winter cobwebs ladies… Spring is just around the corner!

You probably have a massive collection of ‘I might wear it’ clothes which includes a host of tops that no longer fit, trousers that are too worn to wear and plenty of mistake buys that have never even made it out the front door. Follow our top tips to tackle any wardrobe disaster.

« Pull everything you own out of the wardrobe and onto the bed, take a critical look at what’s there. Be ruthless! If it looks bad on you, doesn’t fit right, set it aside for charity. Do the same for your shoes.

« Once done you need to assess what’s left and make a note of any significant gaps – for example, you might have 20 great tops but 1 or 2 skirts. Please don’t hang on to 15 pairs of ‘ok’ fitting trousers; throw out all but the most flattering and make sure you have a range of different lengths to wear with heels and with flats.

« Apply the ‘two-year rule’ – if you haven’t worn it in the last two years, you won’t miss it and it’s time it went.

« Divide and conquer! Separate, remove and get rid of it quick. Once you have separated all items get rid of your not wanted items right away so you do not fall into the ‘second thoughts’ trap.

« TIP Host a clothes-swapping party

Persuade some of your friends to get on board! Get everyone together, and make an evening of it; gossiping, swapping clothes, exchanging ideas and opinions. It’s cheap, fun and sociable and you get to breathe new life into each other’s wardrobes.

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Here is a list of key element essentials for your wardrobe which can be used as a starting point to building that winning look.First impressions are everything. Believe it or not but in the first 5 seconds your image influences the people you meet. Within the first 30 seconds people will make judgments about you, based on what they see, hear and sense. It is that impression, which often lasts a lifetime. Your image tells the world who you are and where you are going.

Here is a list of key element essentials for your wardrobe which can be used as a starting point to building that winning look.

Business Attire

« Minimum two solid colour suits – black and grey
« One subtle pattern suit
« Ten dress shirts – long sleeve, double cuff
« Ten silk ties – mix of subtle print, patterned and striped
« Two pairs of leather dress shoes – nothing chunky please
« One black leather belt
« Twelve pair of mid-calf socks
« Five pairs of cufflinks
« One all-weather coat – ¾ length
« One messenger bag or briefcase

Casual Attire

« Two basic trousers – no pleates
« Two button down shirts – single cuff
« One blazer
« Two pairs of jeans
« One pair of cargos or khakis
« Five high quality t-shirts- white, black and please add some colour
« Two polo or botton down shirts
« One v-neck sweater – merino or cashmere
« Five pair of casual socks
« One belt
« One pair of leather shoes or loafers
« One pair of leather boots
« STAR TIP Just as important as your dress is your grooming. So ensure before you walk out that door your hair, skin and nails are at their best

Tried and tested…

Suits: Farage, Herringbone, Boss, Zegna and Zambelli
Shirts: Farage, Herringbone, Baubridge & Kay
Custom made: Rochefort, Zegna and Bespoke
Ties: David Jones has a good selection, but if you are after something different try: Zegna, Farage and Rochefort

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1. One word here – bronzer. The best places for application; forehead, nose and chin. Creates a natural instant glow, gets rid of the pale, drawn-out colour.
2. For sexy lashes, a heated eyelash curler is a must. When combined with a good mascara it creates a dramatic effect. Try: ModelCo heated eyelash curler; this is a global phenomenon for a reason.
3. No time for perfect eyeliner application. Don’t worry, try drawing several dots along the top of your eyelid, then smudge them into a continuous line using a cotton bud or your finger. The result is smouldering party eyes. Apply more or less, depending on the look you want to achieve.
4. Do not neglect your hands and feet. Frequent manicures and pedicures are a must. Clean your engagement ring and any other jewellery you will be wearing.
5. For last-minute versatile grooming use age-old Vaseline. This tried and tested product has been used by generations. Our grandmothers knew what they were doing here, it can used just about anywhere – glossing lips, tidying eyebrows, add shine where you want it to, and if you run some along your calves, it catches the light and creates an illusion of slimness.
6. Varnished nails make you look instantly better. Try the latest fast-drying polish to complete the look. It can be done and dry within 10 minutes so perfect to do on your break at work.
7. Nothing beats bad hair days than an ‘up-do’, and it works a treat in transforming a daytime look into night. For speedy style, working from the crown, simply take random sections of your hair, backcomb a little at the roots, use a little spray at the roots, and smooth out the rest, pin hair back where it suits your style. As this is a loose modern look, so don’t worry about making it perfect. The result should be sexy-stylish.
8. Another idea is to try the ever so popular dry shampoo which hit the market about 1 year ago. Spray it on, and wha-la. Style as desired.
9. Rosehip oil works wonders for brightening the complexion, and try using a bronzing cream – lasts the night, but beware if you are prone to breakouts and use wisely.
10. Desperate measures: Most work places have shower facilites for staff but if you are crunched for time or no facilities available freshen up with a couple of baby wipes, a squirt of deodorant and scent. If you forgotten your toothpaste, chew gum or chew on a couple of mints for instantly fresher breath.

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It is also about appearances (image). This image it may be a reflection of the businesses core values represented by the individual or product or it may be created by a business and their PR Executive.

Public Relations strategies are utilised everyday across the globe in a multitude of industries. Including product launches and promotion, issues management, brand awareness, profile building of senior staff and even to boost the popularity of celebrities and sportsmen.

1. Customer comes first

Good customer service demands that you do your utmost to ensure that your clients are always satisfied and have a positive experience whenever they deal with a member of your team. Happy clients will be a source of client referrals for you, which are often the best ‘free’ form of marketing for your business. Always follow up on outstanding issues for clients or potential clients. You can truly make a difference if you deliver results or respond to queries within 24 hours. I

2. Corporate communication

All of your corporate communication should reflect the vision, values and branding of your business. All corporate logos, colours, and details should be consistent and uniform throughout the business. It should be accurate, error-free, and clear. This means internal as well as external. If using e-mail, ensure the appropriate auto signature is attached. Do not change colours or sizing of corporate logos and ensure you communicate this as part of your policy to staff.

3. Corporate image

For corporations and people or other organisations, image can affect the financial bottom line. Fortune magazine’s annual ranking of most admired companies has found a correlation between a company’s reputation and its profits. Not surprisingly, the most admired companies have higher financial returns than the least admired. The following benefits have been identified for businesses which have a good reputation:

* Increasing market share
* Lowering market costs
* Ability to charge a premium
* Avoiding over-regulation
* Being able to weather bad times
* Greater employee alignment and productivity
* Ability to attract and retain talent
* Ease of attracting investors
* Achieve more favourable media coverage

4. Effective networking

As mentioned earlier, initial impressions are important. They not only make or break a deal but it also sets the tone for the rest of the relationship. To make a powerful first impression while networking, consider in advance what you will say about yourself and the business which you represent. Practice and visualise this in different circumstances. Equally important to how you present yourself is the interest you show in the people you are speaking to. Act interested in what your companions are saying. Remember their names. Treat everyone like an important client. And follow-up conversations with an e-mail – sent within 24 hours of the meeting.

5. Personal presentation

The importance of first impressions cannot be discounted. Believe it or not but in the first 5 seconds, your image influences the people you meet. Within the first 30 seconds people will make judgments about you, based on what they see, hear and sense. It is that impression they make, which often lasts a lifetime. Your image tells the world who you are and where you are going. So talk to your staff and advise them to always look and act their best as how they are seen, is reflected on the business.

Every contact that you have with clients, staff, media and business associates is vital to the development of a future relationship with them. Learn how to maximise your potential through developing effective presentation skills.

The components of your own personal “brand” include:

* Your identity
* Personal appearance
* Communication skills
* Networking and presentation skills

Regardless of the age old debate, appearance does matter. If you are well groomed, you will project an image of being successful and more confident. Because first impressions count, take special care with your appearance when you attend an important meeting or a networking event.

Adapt your wardrobe for the occasion. Update your wardrobe annually. Choose colours and styles that flatter your figure and skin colour. Be comfortable with what you are wearing. Your personal grooming should also be a priority.

If you project an image of success and confidence, people will be more inclined to believe that you are successful and confident.

6. Delivering presentations

The key to delivering powerful presentations is preparation. Practice, practice, practice. Ensure you have done your research and know your facts. When planning and preparing for a presentation or meeting it’s important for you to identify your key messages and be concise and clear. Always try and start with a great opening line to capture your audience’s attention and end leaving them something to think about.

Practice – Image is key – Confidence

7. Market your Brand

There are many ways in which to market your brand, or create brand awareness. The first step is to clearly identify your target market. In many cases this would generally fall into 2 categories; existing clients and potential clients. Be definite about who your target clients would be – specify the industries, geographic location, size, and financial factors. The next step is to concentrate on the items you already have, this might be your website, planned functions/ events. Set a budget, and then start a campaign, initially with a six to twelve month view.

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