Networks lead to overseas trade

In three years, Stefan Sojka has gone from business minnow to mentor.

His Sydney-based company, Cyrius Media Group, focuses on web design and multimedia marketing for small businesses but earlier this year he had the chance to become involved in the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, which encourages business owners to become more active in overseas markets.

Sojka learned about the trade mission through contacts he had already established at various business events and he says his participation in the development event was an eye-opener.

"It was a great experience and I made new contacts," Sojka says.

"There's a lot of activity going on in that part of the world and a lot of business opportunities. I realised there is a much bigger market over there than there is here."

Sojka, who has worked in the online industry for about 10 years, says his first involvement in these types of opportunities came through his local chamber of commerce in Ryde.

"It's a good networking experience," he says of those meetings. "It has really opened the door for me to speak at and attend other events, as well as take advantage of the programs on offer."

He has been involved as a speaker at Small Business September, an NSW Government event, and the 2009 Ryde Business and Sustainability Expo, where he discussed topics such as effective communication through the internet and website alternatives.

"A lot of purchasing is happening online," Sojka says.

"It's very important for businesses to get their web marketing right and really benefit from it. If you don't get it right, you can waste a lot of money and not get very far."

Sojka says the events have taught him how to refine his skills. He has also learnt from other small business owners.

"There are plenty of people with lots of expertise that are willing to share it," he says. "There's a lot of small businesses with good ideas that are enthusiastic and [have] a willingness to learn. It all starts to pay off once you get involved."

For information on more than 300 events being held during Small Business September, see smallbusinessmonth.nsw.gov.au