Optus also launches a competition for three companies to win a business 'make-over'
Optus announced today the launch of its new advice-based website for small businesses, www.BizThinkTank.com.au. In conjunction with the website launch, Optus is announcing the 'Yes' Coach competition giving three small businesses the opportunity to win professional coaching from Switzer Business Coaching, whose Founding Director Peter Switzer is one of Australia's leading small business experts.
Phil McDermott, Head of Product Marketing, Optus Small Medium Business said, "This campaign is part of Optus' commitment to offer small and medium businesses true value, choice and partnership.
"We recognised there are a lot of products and services in the market that are aimed at small businesses, but there's a real gap for grassroots advice and coaching. Businesses don't want websites with just product information so we have partnered with Peter Switzer to help make valuable information and resources easily available for small business," Mr McDermott said.
BizThinkTank provides information and advice for small businesses. The site contains highly relevant articles for anyone looking to start a business or grow their existing business, featuring articles on a range of topics such as Money and Finance, Marketing and Sales and Leadership.
The three finalists in the 'Yes' Coach competition will enjoy 12 weeks of business coaching with Switzer Business Coaching. Each of these three businesses will also win up to $5,000 worth of Optus products and services. The journey of these finalists will be filmed and broadcast as 'webisodes' on the BizThinkTank website, featuring a 'Yes' Coach blog. These will run from August to November 2008, with the first 'webisode' going live on 27 August 2008. The series will culminate in a gala show where the winner will be announced and awarded with a $10,000 holiday.
The website launch will be supported by a multi-phase advertising campaign including print, online and radio designed to raise awareness and drive traffic to the site.
"I've long been passionate about helping small businesses to grow and prosper. This partnership with Optus is a natural extension of that work and will provide a range of Australian small businesses with information and services they may otherwise not have access to.
"My coaching career goes back a long way, not just with business, but also football and teaching, so it's a natural fit for me and my team," Peter Switzer said.
The public is invited to nominate small businesses for a makeover and small business owners can also nominate themselves. Competition entries close on 23 July 2008 with winners selected shortly thereafter. The three finalists will be selected by a panel of experts, including Optus and Peter Switzer, and the public can also influence this selection by voting on the BizThinkTank website.
At the end of the coaching program the owner of the most improved business will win the ultimate prize, a $10,000 holiday, as Optus recognises that many small business owners often look after their personal wellbeing last.
For further information on Optus SMB please visit www.optus.com.au/smb and for more information on the 'Yes' Coach competition please visit www.BizThinkTank.com.au.
Media contacts:
Simone Bergholcs / Siobhan Quinn
Optus Corporate Affairs
Tel: (02) 8082 7846 / (02) 8082 8432
Note to editor:
- 'Yes' Coach is open to anyone who runs a small-to-medium business, from sole traders to those with 200 employees.
- The public can nominate as many business owners as they like, including themselves at www.BizThinkTank.com.au.
- The three finalists selected to participate in the 'Yes' Coach online reality series will win up to $5,000 in Optus products and services (to be determined by Optus) and the most improved finalist will receive a $10,000 holiday.
About Optus
Optus is an Australian leader in integrated communications. The company specializes in a broad range of communications services including mobile, local, national and long distance telephony, business network services, internet and satellite services and subscription television. For more information please visit www.optus.com.au.
About Peter Switzer
For over 20 years, Peter Switzer has been one of Australia's leading experts on small-and-medium business. As an entrepreneur himself, he knows what it's like to build your own business from the ground up. The Switzer Group is now a media and publishing company, financial advisory service, and business coaching operation.
About Switzer Business Coaching
Switzer Business Coaching are coaching specialists who have proven, guaranteed systems for helping business owners achieve the life they truly want for themselves through their business. Whether your frustrations be lack of time, money or good people (or all three) Switzer Business Coaching will show you how to resolve them once and for all, so you have a business that works for you, not because of you.