News
Brad Callaughan looks at an area many small businesses fall down – planning.
“Lack of planning or direction can be the cause of your demise. If you aren’t looking at where you are going, how can you see opportunities or threats or be prepared to deal with uncertainties like cash flow or profit fluctuations.”
Catriona Pollard takes a look at Google+ and what features it delivers that trump Facebook.
“Google seems to have taken all the social aspects from Facebook and created a network which is more personal for the user.”
Australian businesses with a website are more successful than those without, according to the MYOB Business Monitor Online Special Report. But despite this knowledge, the majority of Australian businesses still do not have a website – with 57 percent of businesses still choosing not to promote or sell their products online.
Julian Smith blogs about new findings from MYOB that show businesses with websites have consistently higher revenues.
“If consumers are not finding you online, for them your business doesn’t exist.”
Small businesses and bricks & mortar retailers are being urged to heed new figures that show Australians will spend over $13.6 billion online this year; with experts advising they focus on engaging customers via multiple channels to build deeper relationships and grab the consumer dollar.
Australia’s largest franchise, Jims Group, has signed a partnership with LivingSocial to deliver deals on its various services to the daily dealers’ hyper-local, citywide and national audiences.
Michelle Gamble blogs about successfully introducing QR codes into your business.
“From a marketing perspective, it’s a way to add value and enhance your customer experience, and connect to your audience instantly on another level.”
Nick Gabrielidis blogs about using the new financial year to consider 2011-12 HR requirements.
“Finding and sourcing the best talent is causing a major constraint on the expansion plans of many organisations, and workforce planning has never been more important as a result.”
Lady Danielle Di-Masi blogs about how undervalued the simple “thank you” has become.
“Being polite, gracious and building rapport is never pointless; it is actually time very well spent.”
A new plugin is allowing jobseekers to easily submit their LinkedIn profile for job opportunities on an employers website, as the business networking site attempts to better its ability to connect talent with opportunity.
Australians can now swap, buy or sell unwanted or unused group deals or vouchers for free, thanks to the launch of a new online marketplace, Swapdeals.
The retail industry received the surprise news yesterday that Premier Retail will close 50 of its stores in Australia and New Zealand and cut staff numbers, as part of new CEO Mark McInnes’ efforts to return the business to profitability.
Maria Pantalone offers tips to ensure you don’t commit ‘Death by PowerPoint’ in your business.
“Nowadays PowerPoint is a common tool used to assist in presentations & the slides should provide your audience with an at-a-glance understanding of the material to support your main points.”
The Victorian Small Business Festival kicks off on 1 August, promising to celebrate the role of small business in the state with its month long program of dedicated small business events.
Small businesses see little difference between the Big4 major banks and regional bank brands such as BankWest, BankSA and St George, new research has found.
Danielle MacInnis has some tips for using podcasts to market your small business.
“Podcasting has emerged as one of the best ways to show your expertise to potential customers – it’s simple and offers a great way to reach large audiences.”
Rick Mapperson blogs about the risks to business of a heavy reliance on technology.
“Ask yourself an obvious question: ‘If the technology that I use in my business were to suddenly become unavailable, for whatever reason, would it affect my ability to do business?’”
Gloria Jeans has collected two honours in the 2011 Australian Business Awards, being named alongside a number of big businesses recognised for being progressive and innovative.
Despite a slight improvement in business conditions during the June quarter, the NAB Quarterly Business Survey has found conditions remain soft and further weakness is likely in the near term.
Brad Smith’s story is a classic example of a passionate hobby unfolding into small business success. From quiet beginnings in the backyard shed with his Dad, his passion, drive and energy have helped him build a retail chain of braaap stores.
