Small Business
The construction industry might not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think about online marketing, but the fact is more and more people are jumping on the Internet for all of their service and product needs, not just for retail, and any small business who wants to keep on growing in […]
The employment pendulum is on the swing again. With such low unemployment, companies are desperately looking to recruit, ideally the best, candidates. Employees, especially the most talented, have their pick of jobs and companies. So, what can small-business employers do to be chosen by their ideal candidates? Pay Of course, everyone knows it’s not all […]
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 […]
Did you know there are are over 1 million students enrolled at Australian universities and of these, more than 600,000 are international students? In fact, Australian universities are recognised as being a key contributor to the nation’s economic prosperity. As such, it makes sense that there is a strong focus on international recruitment across the […]
“This is a business, not a charity” – a phrase most of us, for one reason or another, have heard numerous times. Like the difference between good and evil, the former is driven by internal interests to make money, while the latter is driven by the needs of others to raise money. Their paths can […]
Compliance and risk management don’t sound very attractive but they are crucial to having a sound business and are drivers to achieving business excellence – we call it Future-Proofing. Undertaking an annual legal health check of your company is one of the best decisions you will make for it’s reputation, growth and for your sanity. […]
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 […]
In this day and age, is there any business serious about its growth that doesn’t have an online presence of some sort? A website should be the starting point of every company’s marketing and business development plan, although an increasing number of small businesses, particularly side ventures of stay at home mums or those who […]
As the owner of an SME, it’s more important than ever in this rapidly-changing business environment to get flexible working schemes right. Compared to ten, or even five years ago, employees are now looking for more of a balance between their personal and work lives. This can be a great thing as flexible working arrangements […]
The story of Atlassian is the perfect tech startup fairy tale; two humble guys from Sydney bootstrap a company with a $10,000 credit card and pull off a successful IPO with a market cap of $4.4 billion (USD). Although, contrary to the hopes of many Australian entrepreneurs, the success of Atlassian doesn’t ride on the […]
There are many challenges facing small businesses and, with the New Year well underway, now is a good time to start addressing these head-on in order to build a stronger business. Whether you are a small enterprise just starting out or a mature business looking for additional growth, there is no shortage of challenges that […]
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 […]
There’s a school of thought in business that suggests you should stick to what you know. According to one article, paying heed to this tenet will increase your chances of success as you take benefit from the insight, networks, and ‘rules of thumb’ you’ve spent years developing. You’re more likely to navigate through all the […]
After a year in which the world economy experienced heightened volatility and global growth slowed, there has been a positive shift in opportunities ahead for SME exporters. Trade is still growing, albeit at a slower pace than before the global financial crisis (GFC). After relatively modest growth of 2.6 per cent last year, Efic expects […]
“You can never have too much of a good thing” is a phrase that most, if not all of us, will have heard before. Whether or not this is true is a matter of opinion, but if you’re in business and you’re onto that good thing, then you surely stick with it. After an extended […]
Owning a business is sometimes one of the most rewarding experiences a person can have during their life. However, it is not all easy and most of the business owners complain about not being able to manage their business when they are away from office. Unless and until you have a strong team of dependable, […]
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 […]
Yes – the Australian government has recently launched the National Innovation and Science Agenda which aims to cultivate Australia’s newest economic pillar: Technology and Innovation. “Welcome to the Ideas Boom” the homepage boldly and proudly states like a gatekeeper of previously untrodden territory. But are these policy changes (welcome as they are) driving this shift, […]
The transparency brought by the internet has changed the way we do business. Business owners no longer size themselves against the competitor on the adjacent street because, irrespective of locality, all stand side-by-side in a list of online search results; each just a click away from the other. But while this ultra-competitive, virtual environment has […]
Leadership is the ability to direct, create, inspire and influence. It requires flexibility; leaders must roll with the punches, be open to change and continuously look for opportunities to move forward. Most importantly, leadership is about motivation. It is about growing others while they work with you towards a common goal. Great leaders have specific […]
