Small Business
When you first set up in business the single biggest challenge you face is getting people to notice that you’re out there. You can offer the best products and services in the world, at amazing prices, but nobody will buy them – and if somebody does happen to stumble upon you and make a purchase, […]
You have a dream and create your start-up and work through the night until you almost drop. You think hiring people is really going to help. It starts to feel like a ‘real’ company. Now you have people to delegate to. But then you discover that paradise – as my mother’s favourite saying goes – […]
It is an exciting time in Australia to be doing business! We are in a growth phase, driven by ambitious business leaders and demand from consumers craving innovation and new services. SMBs and start-ups remain the innovation engine of Australia’s economy. They don’t have the same budgets as their giant counterparts but SMBs are achieving […]
Workplaces continue to evolve. The needs of employees are constantly changing. It has never been so pertinent for businesses to adopt innovative strategies, become more flexible and address the emerging needs of their people and the new business environment. Carlson Wagonlit Travel (CWT) introduced an ‘anywhere working’ initiative last year across all five of its […]
Employers seeking staff to grow their business have numerous options available, including recruitment agencies and online employment marketplaces, but many would argue it is still hard to find good help these days. Of course, by basing hiring decisions predominantly on resumes and CVs, employers leave themselves vulnerable to the risk of a bad hire. Why? […]
When was the last time you reviewed your business? Every owner should conduct an extensive review at least once a year to stay on track. It doesn’t matter if you’re running a small firm or a large corporation – every business benefits from a solid plan of attack. Annual reviews allow you to evaluate what […]
It’s been a bumper year for business reputation nosedives… and 2017 isn’t even half over. We’ve had Uber’s Chief Executive admitting he needs to “grow up” following the release of an embarrassing video. In addition, there was United Airlines’ rough-handling of a passenger, also captured on video. Closer to home – and on the public sector side – the Australian Tax Office was […]
In my previous post, I ran through two initial steps B2B sales people need to think about on their journey towards becoming A-Graders. These were ‘reconcile your conflicting priorities’ and ‘set long-term goals,’ which focus on transitioning from an immediate, short-term mindset to becoming more forward-thinking and planning for the long-term. As the sales profession continues to […]
People worldwide continue to search for the elusive ‘sweet spot’ where their careers do not impinge on life ‘outside the office’, and vice versa. One could argue that while work-life balance may have been possible once, it has become an increasingly unattainable ideal due, in part, to the technologies that pervade the business world. Organisations […]
Motivating a workforce to operate at maximum capacity is no easy task. The ability to produce and maintain thriving human capital is one of the primary factors that differentiates a prospering business from those that struggle. On the flip side, what are signs of complacent staff? 1. Engagement In any workplace, it’s natural for staff […]
When you’re a time-poor business owner whose attention is being pulled in all directions by competing obligations it can be difficult to focus on improving productivity. And while a growing customer base is good for the bottom line, if you’re a ‘one-man band’ you might begin to feel like you’ve bitten off more than you […]
Australia has long been regarded as a country which has been able to attract top international talent to encourage business growth and diversification which has been made possible through the Temporary Work Skilled (subclass 457) visa. But the abolition of the 457 scheme and introduction of a replacement program from March next year has received […]
Employers must pay greater attention to the strengths and skills of their staff – or risk losing talented employees. That was the key take-away message from a national Wellness in the Workplace survey by professional development firm PDT involving 530 employees across the private, government and non-profit sectors. Of the 27% of respondents who didn’t […]
If “location, location, location” is everything in real estate, then “preparation, preparation, preparation” is equally important when selling a small business. There are many reasons why a small business owner might decide to sell, but preparation is the one common ingredient that can make the difference between a sale and a fail. The single most […]
Getting the most out of the work day is an important goal for most employees and organisations. Maintaining solid productivity levels is one of the most important factors in keeping a business profitable. Growth in productivity not only lowers costs, it permits sustainable growth and promotes efficiency. Improving productivity is not only favourable for businesses, […]
After the Federal Budget was announced on Tuesday, 9 May, small business owners will be trying to work out what matters most to them. Here are three main things we have been reviewing that may impact how small business do business – and it is mostly for the better. 1. Less red tape It is […]
All businesses strive to a deliver great customer experience, and convenience and seamlessness are currently the winning factors for ensuring their engagement with your brand is at its best. In 2015, Forrester predicted that one-third of companies in the B2C space would compete on the basis of experiences, and change their business structure accordingly. This […]
In terms of return-on-investment, a website for your business is the most cost-effective marketing tool that you will ever have. You should think of your website as a storefront or a public-facing office. Just as with a storefront or a business office, many who come in will look for basic information – what your business […]
We all have products that keep us coming back for more. For you, it might be a simple fitness app like Strava, Instagram’s endless feed of engaging photos, or your flashy Beats by Dr Dre headphones. What these products have in common is their addictive nature – and that they’re not addictive by chance. Businesses […]
The continuation of the $20,000 instant tax write-off for small businesses will come as little surprise: the Treasurer had been hinting heavily at this in his pre-Budget briefings. However, the announcement that businesses with an annual turnover of less than $10 million can claim up to $20,000 worth of depreciating assets each financial year, is […]
