Expert
Every company likes to think they have a great culture but if you ask each member of the leadership team to sum theirs up, most will give vague, airy answers that don’t match. This is because most companies don’t actually have a uniting culture. Often in the corporate world you get an amalgamation of cultures or distinct […]
The first waves of Gen Z are entering the workforce and for the first time ever, four generations will be working together. Born between 1995 and 2009, Gen Z is composed of every school-goer in Australia right now, with the first batch already in the workplace. While they currently make up 10 per cent of […]
Businesses were promised a ‘paperless office’ as far back as the late 1970s but we are still waiting for that utopia to materialise. In the meantime, many businesses are doing their part to reduce the amount of paper flying around the office. This includes communicating via email wherever possible and reducing the amount of printing […]
Looking back to when I started Reckon 30 years ago with a maxed out credit card, a bank loan against a busted-up Holden Commodore and a big idea, it all seemed pie in the sky. Today Reckon is a publicly listed ASX company with strong growth employing over 500+ people across the world and a big, […]
All start-up companies aim to put together a solid business plan and a comprehensive marketing strategy to set sail and go on the challenging journey of entrepreneurship. No matter if you sell products or provide services, your marketing efforts always focus on generating new leads, keeping customers close to the brand, turning them into faithful […]
We all love to dream of success. Unfortunately, dreaming about success is unlikely to help you actually achieve it. Setting goals and measuring your progress is a simple, formal way to set you on the path to achieving those dreams. It is a first step in formalising your business planning and management. The mere act […]
When reviewing the financial performance of a business, the primary measure I look at is Return on Capital Employed (ROCE). ROCE not only measures the profitability of a business but also the efficiency with which its capital is employed. In Laymen’s terms, ROCE works out how much bang for your buck you’re getting out […]
Whether you’re a freelancer, entrepreneur or a virtual worker, one thing you probably love about your job is the ability to work wherever and whenever you want. You’re not beholden to the 9 to 5 office life of the average corporate worker bee. It’s great, right? Perhaps not always. Undoubtedly you’ve had days where your […]
Yesterday, Donald Trump became the 45th President of the United States of America. For many, it was an unexpected and alarming result. For others, it was a win against the establishment. But what does it mean for Australian business leaders and how can it help us improve? Perhaps what has chilled people most about […]
A managing director arrives at her desk to a bottle of wine and a ‘thank you’ note from her team. They’re expressing gratitude for a fun afternoon away from the office celebrating the Melbourne Cup as a team. No leave time was recorded – the out-of-office activity was a gesture of goodwill. The managing director understands the importance of developing a culture of […]
Goofing off. That’s probably what it looks like I’m doing most of the time. But really I’m just endlessly curious to read about new things, look at different images, and get lost in a wormhole of seemingly time-wasting internet detritus. Most of it is probably worthless. But some of it can spark an idea that can […]
A full-page newspaper advert for US electronics retail giant Radio Shack from 1991 is a great reminder of how much the way we do business has changed forever. This advert featured 15 pieces of technology that would have set you back $3000, or $5300 with today’s US dollar valuation, and might just have squeezed into […]
Saying ‘no’ doesn’t come naturally to many, particularly when you have your own business. It’s often tempting to say ‘yes’ to every opportunity that comes your way, in an attempt to drive growth. But knowing when and what to say ‘no’ to, and how to be tactful about it, can actually make you a better […]
Recent research from Griffith University’s Asia-Pacific Centre for Franchising Excellence shows there are an estimated 70,700 business format franchised units in Australia. That’s thousands of Australians enjoying a rewarding and fulfilling career in franchising. Although franchising can sound like an attractive proposition with significant financial and lifestyle benefits, it’s not the right fit for everyone. Before […]
Maintaining staff engagement and being aware of cultural sensitivities are crucial to success when an Australian SME opts for offshoring. People are the difference between success and failure in any business, never more so than if you are planning to use offshoring strategies. In today’s borderless marketplace, small businesses have an opportunity to sell their products […]
Entrepreneurs start businesses to solve problems facing customers or to improve the way customer needs are satisfied. In the event that on-hand funding is insufficient to fully realise the potential of their proposed business, an entrepreneur will need to seek assistance from investors. Finding the right financial partner can be challenging. There are key things you should ask to […]
As a business owner, I am a natural giver. I am a big believer in the art of paying it forward and giving to others. It is one of the great joys of building your own business: being able to provide respected customers with advice, value adds such as extra time, additional services, or offering […]
The expense of finding and retaining top-performing talent can challenge organisations’ profitability, and if employees leave within the first year, there are even more costs. Research shows that only 12% of employees leave their employer to earn more money.[1] That means most employers can take action to prevent staff turnover. One of the most common […]
Data storage is an important issue to any business, but it is especially important to growing companies. If your business is like most, you probably have scads of data that needs to be stored and protected. Many small businesses either ignore or do not take into account the fact that, as you grow, you will […]
I’ve been lucky to experience a job and a career in my lifetime. What is the difference between the two and which makes the most sense for you? A chance to trial what works and what doesn’t A job is usually denoted by doing a task over and over again in exchange for money. It […]
