Expert
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 […]
Entrepreneurialism is its own class of business, even being studied as a distinct subject. It’s no surprise then that entrepreneurialism comes with its own unique challenges, which requires a different mindset and approach than other business areas. In my experience, having founded and lead multiple businesses in the last decade and now working with entrepreneurs, […]
There is no doubt that you have probably heard or read or spoken to somebody who has an opinion or insight into online trading and more importantly why you should or should not do it. As with any new venture – there always exists a substantial amount of speculation – and more so than with […]
For small and medium sized businesses, the makeup of your team can have a significant impact on overall performance. It comes down to not just having the right blend of skills but also the cohesiveness of the team and their engagement with the work that will give your business a competitive advantage. But what happens […]
Whilst business apps allow for greater productivity, efficiency and can even affect bottom-line results, when it comes to the adoption of mobile apps in the workplace, many companies are lagging behind. Here’s a closer look at some of the mobile app challenges facing organisations today. Mobile app opportunities There’s no question that mobile apps are […]
Executive leaders believe that digital disruption is among the top risks facing Australian organisations, according to a recent Canon survey (see infographic below). Respondents also believe that IT departments responding to changing client needs, industry disruption and overseas competition are serious risks facing Australian business. So why are organisations facing these challenges, and how can they […]
