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International recruiting is important for small companies too.

In an era of digital connectivity and data dependency, continuous access to electricity has never been more critical for Australian small businesses. Yet, many are still unprepared despite the widely reported rise in blackouts stemming from increased infrastructure pressures, greater demand on the grid and unpredictable weather extremes. Eaton’s Annual Blackout Tracker not only revealed […]

Businesses are under incredible pressure from constant deadlines and the need to deliver short-term results. Business leaders want immediate outcomes, which creates a culture of ‘doing’. So, when a problem arises, we quickly jump to solution finding, without isolating what the real problem is. If we don’t take the time to dig deep, observe and […]

As business owners, we sure do have a lot on our plates. Balancing the day-to-day of running a business with high-level strategic and growth activities can be enough of a challenge by itself. However, things can go completely off kilter if something goes wrong, and you don’t have the proper protections in place. A dispute […]

One in five Australians are living with a disability. This includes 357,000 individuals who are blind or visually impaired[1]. Like most Australians, they rely on the internet to find information, goods, services, and employment. As the internet becomes an intrinsic part of our daily life, websites optimised for people with disabilities are no longer optional, […]

Today is Harmony Day, the annual Australian holiday recognising our multiculturalism and different backgrounds. It’s a great opportunity as a workplace to celebrate what makes us as individuals different and unique, as well as what makes us inclusive as a society. We celebrate Harmony Day as Harmony Week every year. It gives everyone in the […]

A new year often gives business owners time to reflect on how to do things better in their organisation. What if the answer was: self-care for the boss (you)? ‘Busy’ is a common state for many business owners, but with great activity comes great responsibility – not just to ensure your staff are well looked […]

Do you want to maximise the number of points you can earn on your business costs? Use these three simple strategies to boost your business’s points balance and redeem rewards faster. Use a business rewards credit card Unlike some personal credit cards, a business rewards or frequent flyer credit card is an easy way to […]

While getting a promotion is a wonderful way of being acknowledged for the hard work you’ve put in to improve both yourself and your company, taking a step up – particularly into management – comes with a fresh set of hurdles to overcome. There’s nothing quite like being made management to see all your old […]

The recent rise of online quoting websites has been great for both customers and businesses. How can small business owners maximise the potential of these new marketing platforms? I’ve been operating a small business in the carpet cleaning industry for over 20 years. I remember a time before the internet. Back then, marketing your business […]

When you first set up in business the single biggest challenge you face is getting people to notice that you’re out there. You can offer the best products and services in the world, at amazing prices, but nobody will buy them – and if somebody does happen to stumble upon you and make a purchase, […]

In my previous post, I ran through two initial steps B2B sales people need to think about on their journey towards becoming A-Graders. These were ‘reconcile your conflicting priorities’ and ‘set long-term goals,’ which focus on transitioning from an immediate, short-term mindset to becoming more forward-thinking and planning for the long-term. As the sales profession continues to […]

Getting the most out of the work day is an important goal for most employees and organisations. Maintaining solid productivity levels is one of the most important factors in keeping a business profitable. Growth in productivity not only lowers costs, it permits sustainable growth and promotes efficiency.  Improving productivity is not only favourable for businesses, […]

We all have products that keep us coming back for more. For you, it might be a simple fitness app like Strava, Instagram’s endless feed of engaging photos, or your flashy Beats by Dr Dre headphones. What these products have in common is their addictive nature – and that they’re not addictive by chance. Businesses […]

Employers often get the most out of their employees at the very beginning of their tenure, when the employee is keen to impress, eager to make a good impression, and excited to learn new things. But the honeymoon period doesn’t last particularly long, with most people becoming comfortable enough to rest on their laurels and […]

“Go see, ask why, show respect.” The words of Toyota chairman Fujio Cho have become renowned as the basic lean principles on which to build and run a large business but what does this mean for small to medium-sized Australian businesses? The concept here revolves around the importance of business leaders getting up from their desks […]

Hiring a motivational speaker to facilitate a workshop is a cost-effective way to boost employee morale, thus improving a company’s overall production. These workshops take less than a day to complete and will provide benefits that will reverberate throughout all levels of the business for many months to come. ICMI Speakers Bureau will connect you […]

When it comes to measuring success, everyone has their own metrics. In business, however, high achievers possess the same characteristics. Creativity, flexibility, forward-thinking, self-motivation, organisational skills and a willingness to take risks are all essential for business owners. Here are some other traits you should seek to embody as you drive your business to greatness: […]

Surge periods are normal part of any business activity, especially as customer demand peaks around a range of common annual events such as Easter, which is just around the corner. Over the past few years businesses have seen about 50-60% increase in support volume over the holiday period, but despite being aware that businesses are […]

In some ways, running a small business is a lot like being a plate spinner, especially if you’re overseeing several projects. You’ll need excellent coordination and a watchful eye; otherwise you’ll end up with smashed chinaware. As you grow in confidence, you might seek to add more and more plates to the mix. At some point, you’ll require an […]