Hot Tips
Even if you’re only just starting out, when it comes to your business, it’s always better to be safe and secure; especially in terms of risk management. Whether it’s because of interest rates, drought, fuel prices, or staff leaving; risk can’t be avoided. But that’s not to say it can’t be managed. So research your […]
You might have the perfect product, but have you thought about the service experience the customer has when buying it? Every product – whether online or at a physical retail outlet – has a service element to it, and exceptional delivery is one way that evolving businesses can differentiate their product. Regardless of the product, […]
If you want help but can’t afford, or don’t need, full-time expertise, consider outsourcing projects or ongoing aspects of your business. However, make sure you: Define the scope of the job to give you a more accurate idea of how much the job should cost; Spell out liability arrangements so if something goes wrong, you […]
You didn’t spend countless hours building your business, to watch it be destroyed by lax security. So make sure you do the research, and take all of the necessary precautions; even if it means keeping updated by attending security awareness training. Here are a few security tips to get you started: Back everything up! Treat […]
While you wouldn’t want to publicise mistakes, it’s important to face up to them if they involve your clients or customers. It is easy to be defensive about your business, but an honest admission of the mistake and a statement about what you will do about it, followed by doing all you can to rectify […]
Thinking of starting a blog for your business but don’t know what makes a good blog? A business blog is likely to involve an opinion or analysis of your business or your industry. A good blog is more than a mere rendition of your latest activities, it should be insightful and engaging to appeal to […]
So you’ve made a name for yourself, now what? The best way to protect that name is to register a trademark. If you think there’s no need because you’ve already registered a domain and business name, then you’re wrong—neither one will protect you from the competition, if they decide to swoop in and register your […]
Electronic communication systems are faster, cheaper, and simply more efficient than traditional methods. Two great examples are email and SMS. While you can’t send them to anyone because of anti-spam legislation, that doesn’t mean they’re not an effective marketing tool when touching base with customers who opt to receive messages. When used in combination with […]
The business world is turning green, and if you haven’t already, maybe you should consider joining the masses. Not only will you be helping the environment, but you’ll be helping yourself by cost saving and efficiency. To start, conduct an environmental audit to measure the amount of waste your business produces, then look for ways […]
Good signage is often the saviour of a misguided customer or a directionally-challenged individual. So if you’d like potential customers to find you when you’re starting out, create the maximum impact possible with your sign design. Research shows 50 percent of customers discover suppliers because of their signs, and around three quarters of consumers develop […]
1. Don’t be swayed by the cheapest colour printer you can find. Consider the total cost of ownership when buying a printer. Find out the cost of consumables as this will make the real difference. The cost of producing a colour printed page on an inkjet and colour laser can vary significantly. 2. Ask about […]
Whether you like it or not, emails have become the staples when sending out marketing messages. It isn’t rocket science, but a little effort can go a long way. Here are some tips to increase your email savvy: Don’t try and send a single message out to everyone. Think about the content and personalise it […]
Unconscionable conduct is an action taken by an individual or business against a customer or potential customer that exploits a known disadvantage of that customer. Disadvantages may include, but are not limited to: age, mental capacity, physical capacity, financial capacity, linguistic ability and unequal bargaining power. Unconscionable conduct includes: selling the customer unsuitable goods or […]
Many websites are too decorative, losing the ability to communicate by using colour combinations that give readers a headache. To ensure your website visitors receive the information they came for, use this checklist: Give text enough contrast by using a neutral background with a strong font colour or vice versa. Don’t use fancy text for […]
Staff often have a healthy distrust of managers who pay a lot of lip service but don’t commit words to action. A simple way to gain your employees’ trust is to do what you say you will do. Too often, managers make announcements to maintain the facade of keeping everyone up to date when the […]
If you use the promise of free gifts to attract customers, be aware of the legal ramifications. If your promotion states that every purchase receives a gift, it is unlawful conduct to refuse to give a customer the gift upon purchase. If gift numbers are limited, you must indicate this on promotional material and inform […]
Written references are a good way to reward occasional staff such as those on contracts or doing work experience. Date the reference and specify the time period in which you worked with the person. Outline the role and what the person achieved in that role. Specify in what capacity you are able to give the […]
Need a venue quick? You can now search, view and book Australian venues inside an eight-week lead time with QuickMeet, an online venue-finding service that was inspired by the many online discounts made available to last minute travellers. “After connecting to quickmeet.com.au, users simply search and select their preferred destination or venue, complete a venue […]
Looking to create a domain name that will drive online business? Check out the following tips to create a domain name that’ll rack up website hits. Keep it Short Good domain names are short. As a guide try to go below 12 letters and never exceed 20. And avoid using hyphens, as they can create […]
You and your salespeople may know everything there is to know about your product or service, but are you listening to what your customers want? Sometimes customers just want information about your product or service before they buy to see if it suits their needs. If information is what they’re after, match the features of […]
