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Despite globalisation removing barriers to overseas expansion, it appears that SME owners are not yet convinced of the benefits. Recent data from Bentleys, a mid-tier accounting and business advisory firm, found that only 19% of Australian and New Zealand businesses operated in overseas markets. The latest The Voice of Australian Business survey, a bi-annual national survey of SMEs, revealed that a majority […]
Although workplace health and safety initiatives have seen the average Australian workplace become safer in recent years, injuries on the job still cost the economy $60 billion each year. That figure alone may be astounding, but for employees injured in their line of work the toll is much greater than financial, potentially affecting them emotionally […]
If you learn one thing as you work your way through your career, it’s that ‘who you know’ is as important as ‘what you know’. Who you know can help you become front of mind with mentors, friends, clients, suppliers and new ideas and opportunities. Expanding your spheres of influence by deepening and widening your contact […]
Whether you are starting out or your business has been established for many years, maintaining appropriate cash flow is a critical success factor. Here are some home truths when seeking business finance that once accepted will allow you to better understand and preserve your cash for the time you need it most. Rates are less […]
How do you differentiate your business in a crowded market whilst competing with larger, ‘powerhouse’ organisations? This is a question facing smaller operators in the aged care industry. There’s no doubt, with the ageing population in Australia increasing as rapidly as it is, the aged care industry is in turn growing with no signs of slowing down. In […]
Fuel is one of the most high-priced expenses people use to acquire both for their personal and business needs. But businesses, especially those utilizing fleet vehicles, should know how to efficiently use their fuel to reduce monthly fuel and overall business expense. One great solution is by using a fleet fuel card. This is like […]
There are two types of business travellers: those who constantly travel for work, and those who take part in a one-off, large group conference trip. What people often underestimate or forget is how tiring it can be travelling – especially overseas – and the potential dangers. Frequent travellers can sometimes become desensitised to the dangers and issues that arise when […]
Spending too much time sussing out the competition can be a distraction, but when I do, the insights are often important to my SME and my direction as a leader and innovator. This information is occasionally acted upon or at a minimum, it influences my thinking, my team and my business. In a world where the focus is increasingly on collaboration rather […]
Business planning tends to be done in cycles. A cycle may be a week, a month, a quarter or a year. At the end of every cycle, you have the opportunity to compare your business plan to your actual results. The insights you gain from this are used to plan for the next cycle. Smart […]
“It’s not the employer who pays the wages. Employers only handle money. It’s the customer who pays the wages.” – Henry Ford You might have established a business under your name, but even if you’re the person with the most authority, you still have another boss to please: the client. The purpose of your sales […]
Whether you’ve had a bumper year or a bummer year there are still things you can do to improve and prepare yourself for the best year ever! End of Financial Year is a great opportunity to take a moment to reflect on how the year has gone and to make some New Year’s Resolutions to get your […]
There’s no going back. From big data to big decisions, artificial intelligence and automation, to explosions in technology and in choice, Australian businesses have a decision to make – disrupt or be disrupted. While the term ‘disruption’ has become commonplace in workplaces across the country, we can’t ignore the fact that where we were yesterday […]
The physical workplace plays a significant role in the success of your business. Your office space is not just a fixed place where you do business; instead it should be used as a business tool to keep your staff more productive, engaged, and striving towards accomplishment. There are five key points that every business owner […]
Over the past decade, the balance of power in the consumer-company engagement dynamic has shifted unequivocally in favour of the customer. Once upon a time, brands spoke to consumers via one-way vehicles such as broadcast and print media. Now, there are multiple digital channels, many of them open to public scrutiny, creating a dialogue between […]
How can Google My Business help my business? Google My Business is a free tool provided by Google to help businesses better establish themselves so that they can increase their visibility to their audience across all of Google’s platforms. No matter the industry that you are in, you want your audience to access your brand […]
Let’s set the record straight, work/life balance is a myth. The idea that we can balance our working career with the rest of our life is just nuts. What I strive for is to create my own mix of career, family, relationships and ‘me time’. I have chosen my own path, with my own […]
The rules of branding have changed significantly since the dawn of the.com era. All organisations understand the importance of building an online reputation as they strive to win over new customers. Blogging is unquestionably one of the most effective ways for brands to position themselves. Experts have pointed out that brands that blog regularly generate […]
Fifteen years ago we were promised a more productive future, where technology was going to transform how we worked and make life easier for all. Is anyone feeling this yet? Probably not. In fact, most of today’s knowledge workers would say that they are busier, working longer hours and are more overwhelmed and stressed. What […]
More stress, less time, more responsibility, less support? How do we get back to living a life we love without giving one thing up for another? As a business owner, leader or anyone in corporate knows – the best results come with a clear strategy and the courage to make a plan that’s relevant, realistic […]
1. Before we say no to new ideas – ‘Consider’ You never know where the best ideas are going to come from, so you need to be open. When Kodak said ‘no’ to the digital camera invented in their very own labs by Steven Sasson in 1975, they said no to the idea that was […]
