Managing
For many small businesses, ICT (Information Communication Technology) infrastructure is now one of the largest contributors to their carbon footprint. Driven by current economic times and environmental concerns, many small businesses are making green considerations an important factor in ICT purchasing decisions. Up until very recently the green spotlight has focussed most on the big […]
The Eurovision Song Contest is by far the most amazing and exciting night of the year. And amongst all that razzle-dazzle are dazzling lessons for managers, especially within the two songs that won the competition as well as the two that should have won.
Micro-blogging tool social networking site Twitter has been hailed as a great marketing tool for businesses to communicate with their customers and extend the reach of their brand. But there are many other benefits to business to be had from Twitter. If utilized correctly, Twitter can be a great money saving tool. Charis Palmer outlines […]
For most businesses, the current economic climate has demanded change. But those changes don’t have to be as drastic as redundancies, closing offices or selling the business. By using everything from common sense to new technology, business owners can weather the economic storm and position themselves to capitalise in the years ahead.
Tough economic times require businesses to be smarter about where and how they spend their time and money. But deciding how much time and how much money small businesses should spend on protecting their information is often a challenge many businesses struggle with. There is lots of helpful information available to small businesses on what […]
A growing numbers of Australian businesses are coming under threat as poor redundancy strategies have led to an increase in the poaching of organisations’ remaining talent. In such a climate of instability, employees are becoming increasingly concerned about job security, leaving them open to being head hunted from competitor organisations. Chandler Macleod Group (CMG) has […]
When it comes to business software, small businesses are looking to increase efficiencies without putting a hole in their pockets. So, what’s the best option for your business? Here are 10 simple steps to take before making any costly decisions on business software.
Communication has always been an integral part of international relationships. Here are some ways to make the communication process easier and more affordable. Lamenting the size of your business’ overseas phone bill? Tightening the business travel budget? If your business deals with overseas suppliers or clients, it’s important to maintain clear communication channels. Fortunately there […]
Many companies are looking for ways to reduce their environmental footprint and sometimes working greener means saving money too. Printing is a great place to start. Cutting back on printing will not only save your business money, but improve efficiencies and reduce your carbon footprint. Although most companies make it easy for their employees to […]
Choosing the right mobile provider is an important decision for any modern business with employees on the go. Technology is becoming increasingly mobile, and for many SMEs, the difference between a good day and a bad day can come down to just one call and their ability to respond. A missed call or email, but […]
Open plan offices are slowly becoming the standard in workplaces across the country. But are they really effective? Do they improve productivity or hamper it? Dr Jim Taylor discusses what your work environment says about you and whether open plan offices really are the way to go. I wonder what a worker on the pyramids […]
In these tough times business development is changing. Buyers are turning to tenders as pressure increases to manage cost and demonstrate due process. Small to medium businesses must have the right tender strategy. To win a tender is not all sharp pricing; you need to be competitive, complete and compelling. In the first quarter of […]
There is so much hype, information and misinformation about global warming, greenhouse emissions and the need to go green that many people, and especially businesses, are very confused and just hope that it will all go away. The problem is that the cost of delaying action is far greater than the cost of doing something […]
In the current economic climate, businesses are looking for ways to cut costs. Often the business’ fleet of cars or vans will make up a large part of the company’s asset base and running and maintenance can be quite costly. So it is important to choose the right service provider for your fleet to not […]
These may be troubled times, but that’s no reason to shy away from doing everything you can to maintain your market share, writes Ian Murray. People who know that I have a background in marketing with major international companies often ask me, “Why do you have to have to advertise that product, when everyone knows […]
Fourth in our series on ‘The True Cost of Exporting’ is the cost of export documentation, a necessary expense that can be eased by knowing what’s required. Here are some ways to tighten up on export documentation. Organising the right documentation and paperwork makes the export process simpler, smoother and cheaper. When it comes to […]
Choosing the right Internet Service Provider (ISP) is a critical step for any small business, but a daunting task when faced with a great deal of technical information. Get it wrong and your business will suffer. Here’s how to get it right. No pressure, right? Fear not! If you follow a process of needs assessment, […]
Total cost of ownership (TCO) is something you’re going to hear more and more about in these tough economic times. But how can you apply the concept to your IT without employing an expensive consultant? In terms of IT, perhaps the best definition of TCO is the total cost of a computer asset or solution […]
Thousands of SMEs overspend on mailing costs. By following simple, smart mailing practices, every small business can take the dollars off the envelope and onto the bottom line. Streamlining your mailstream can save both time and money. With a slowing economy, consumer sentiment dropping and an uncertain year ahead, businesses are increasingly looking for ways […]
With many companies looking to tighten their belts in this financial crisis, and with an emphasis on all things green, companies are looking for ways to cut down on business costs and improve efficiencies. The best place to start is with your fleet, as a company’s vehicle is often one of the biggest expenses it […]
