Small Business
Failure to implement an emergency action plan in your business could lead to serious injuries and loss of life, plus severe penalties if there is an emergency situation or disaster. Here’s a sobering statistic: work-related injuries and disease cost the Australian economy about US $78 million per year. It’s therefore imperative that you comply with […]
Building and growing a business requires a lot of effort + a little luck + investment capital. Effort is hard work over a period of time and luck is often a by-product of effort. This leave’s investment capital: deciding how to raise investment capital is not an easy decision. There is no one-size-fits-all approach to […]
A business can be like a leaky bucket. Marketing teams work constantly to pour new customers in the top, spending time and money on campaigns, but if there are holes, customers are always going to leave and need to be replaced. Of course, this is not the functioning of an ideal business model; ideally new […]
If you like the idea of setting up in business as a plumber you may already know that it is a competitive field. If you want to start a business as a Sydney Plumber then you need to be prepared for hard work and some highs and lows along the way. You also need to […]
Australian small businesses Frankland Islands Cruises and Intersective are among the first to benefit from Efic’s new Small Business Export Loan. The latest finance offering from Australia’s export finance agency, is designed to meet the needs of small businesses seeking export finance, with a focus on convenience and speed throughout the online application and approval process. The […]
Trade shows are an excellent opportunity to find new customers and make new contacts, but the only way you are going to get out of your investment in a booth, is to make it a magnet for anyone who is at the show. One way of standing out from the crowd would be to have […]
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 […]
Recruitment, like any other business practice, is constantly evolving with new trends. There isn’t a once-size-fits-all approach, but there are some golden rules every business can follow to sniff out top talent in an efficient and effective way. If you’re wondering whether you should jump on Facebook for your recruitment or give video interviews a […]
As your start-up begins to grow and take on more staff, you’ll likely run into a few challenges. It’s much easier to keep everyone ‘on the same page’ when there’s only a handful of people in the business. When your workforce balloons to 20, 100 or more staff, that’s when issues emerge. Due to numerous factors, including background, work history, education and personality, each of […]
It’s has become much easier for business leaders to streamline their accounts and financial processes. Here are some tips and tools to get you started. With many companies struggling under the weight of inefficient processes and tightening budgets, automating the myriad of manual admin tasks that categorise accounts payable could save your company time and money. In Australia, […]
This year I’ve been vocal on why leadership is failing in Australia. In my recent interview with Dynamic Business, I drew a sharp contrast between fields of elite performance (such as sports, chess, science, music and the performing arts) and the mediocrity of business leadership. My thesis was a simple one. In these elite fields, […]
Given that staff tend to take their cue from what management does, rather than what it says, companies that encourage questionable workplace practices from the top down can end up being their own worst enemies. By encouraging employees to take shortcuts or by demonstrating a lack of oversight, businesses can become victims and, sometimes, unwitting […]
As people become more familiar with social media, they can use this ‘free’ form of marketing to generate awareness for their business. I put ‘free’ in inverted commas because it does have a cost – your time. I’ve always said PR gives people in small businesses with limited marketing budgets the best bang for […]
Most business owners have their own ideas on the best methods to improve warehouse efficiency. As with any other department or company asset, regular reviews and upgrades can help optimise the performance of your warehouse. High standards of quality and output targets don’t just happen – success requires constant reviewing of each and every process. […]
Australian employees will now have their casual employment calculated towards their redundancy entitlements as a result of a recent Fair Work Commission ruling. The Fair Work Commission recently upheld an appeal made by the Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union against a decision that allowed engineering and shipbuilding company Forgacs to only calculate the permanent employment period […]
I don’t like to fail, but I know it’s all part of the process. In order to succeed, you must first learn to fail. This mantra has enabled my company to experience rapid growth. Makinex wouldn’t exist if it wasn’t for a culture of innovation. We invest up to 10% of our turnover in research and development […]
What makes an effective business leader? Some leaders possess unique skills and characteristics that are difficult to define and even harder for others to replicate. According to Dr Natalie Ferres, a psychologist and director of strategic leadership firm Bendelta, it doesn’t matter who you are – you won’t succeed as a leader unless you inspire […]
It’s that time of year again: tax time. When the challenge of filing personal taxes is compounded by the need to sift through work-related travel expenses, it’s no wonder many workers would rather visit the dentist. Knowing how to file business travel expenses can be one of the most confusing areas when submitting expenses to the Australian Taxation Office (ATO). […]
Starting up and successfully running a small business can certainly be overwhelming at times and it is of the utmost importance that you get things right from the very beginning. Your employees are one of your greatest assets, vital in the growth and prosperity of your business. To make the most of this valuable resource […]
For career-minded mothers, returning to work following the birth of a child can be bittersweet. A return to full-time work often means cutting short quality parenting time and increased childcare costs. On the other hand, if they’re having to deny their professional aspirations and accept a part-time job beneath their expertise, the excitement and financial reward of ‘getting […]
