Strategy
Technology’s domination of the working world is all but complete. Recent data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics[1] (ABS) revealed the number of people working in the IT industry has soared by 20 per cent in the last five years. And it is no surprise that the local tech industry recently made to the global […]
In today’s Australian workplace, employers are increasingly asking workers to do more, with less. This increased demand is ubiquitous and is readily accepted as the norm, so it may be surprising to many business leaders, and their employees, that the pressure to overachieve is creating an epidemic of poor work performance. Across Australian businesses, the […]
In the dynamic modern economy, business conditions change overnight and what worked today may not work tomorrow. That’s why it has never been more important for companies to be agile, flexible and willing to implement decisive action when required. However, you can’t achieve that without strong employee engagement. According to Gartner, 70 per cent of […]
The summer holidays are quite often the only time of year when business owners have the freedom to think about their business without getting caught up in the day-to-day running of it. Following a reflection on the year that was, thoughts usually turn to how to grow and develop the business during the forthcoming year. If […]
Millennials crave a clear career path, mentoring, training and other learning opportunities. Millennials, defined as those aged in their 30s and below, now make up an increasing percentage of the workforce. However, research suggests that businesses are struggling to find ways to engage their employees, with 59% actively looking for their next employment opportunity. (1) […]
New graduates are stepping out of university and finding it harder than ever to gain employment. They often turn to the graduate programs offered by large companies, where in some industries they take on hundreds of new recruits annually. For those that aren’t successful in these initiatives, or find themselves in an industry where programs […]
Many business owners spend years building their business to only receive a fraction of what it is worth when it comes time to sell. Although there are many more, here are seven of the most common mistakes that could impact you significantly. Inadequate preparation Sellers who get the best deals are those who have left […]
Every business owner understands that the rewards of running their own company are immeasurable, but the tradeoff is that you also bear the brunt of the consequences if things go wrong. This is why it’s important to have a risk management plan in place. Having a strategy for the common pain points that your business […]
The price that you set for your products and services is one of the most crucial decisions you have to make in a business. Pricing requires thought and an understanding of your customers or clients, the market, the environment and your competitors. Here are four pricing mistakes you need to avoid: One: The first mistake […]
If your employees are like most Australians, they work fairly long hours. But you can’t assume that just because they’ re working more, more work is getting done. Long hours might mean they love what they do and want to give it their all . Or it could mean their day is full of productivity […]
Hard to believe but Toys “R” Us has sought bankruptcy protection. It’s interesting to hear the Australian operations remain unaffected, it’s hard to believe as we’ve heard and seen for so many years the success of Toys “R” Us. As the old adage goes…learn from failure. Here are five things every retailer needs to learn […]
The workplace is changing. By 2025, 75 per cent of the workforce will be made up of millennials. For employers and business leaders, empathising and engaging with this generation is vital. We’ve all heard the jokes about entitled millennials with an unhealthy avocado toast obsession. Yet they’re fast becoming an influential presence in the corporate […]
The recent rise of online quoting websites has been great for both customers and businesses. How can small business owners maximise the potential of these new marketing platforms? I’ve been operating a small business in the carpet cleaning industry for over 20 years. I remember a time before the internet. Back then, marketing your business […]
When it comes to Amazon’s entry to Australian retail, there are many and varied opinions on the likely extent of its impact. No one knows for sure what will ensue. Will Amazon disrupt Australian retail? And if it does, to what degree? Or will it resort to a competitive fight with retailers in this diverse […]
If you have a task to complete, such as launching a new product, you will want to keep a tight handle on project costs and be able to work to a realistic timescale. Delivering a project on time and on budget is a challenge, but there are ways to ensure that everything stays on track […]
Small to medium businesses often have it pretty tough when it comes to hiring, engaging, and retaining their employees. Large organisations and fast-growing, capital-infused startups can often outshine SMBs with their big budgets, epic offices, and big brand appeal. According to a survey by Robert Half, 60% of small business owners and management said that […]
In this age of social media and instant communication, customers share their experiences broadly, especially if those experiences are negative. People vote with their feet, taking their business elsewhere based on the comments of friends, peers, and even strangers online. Businesses therefore need to understand that the customer experience is critical to financial success. The […]
Most retailers regard and often treat their stocktake activities as a rather burdensome compliance process. However, stocktakes can boost marketing and supply chain performance and provide a regular barometer of business efficiency. That’s because stocktakes can – and should – generate a consistent flow of data about every aspect of the business. During the stocktake […]
There’s a lot of research into diversity and its impact on the workforce. The main message that’s currently broadcast is that diversity is a great thing and beneficial to business. It can be a good thing, but it can also be problematic. I looked into both these aspects in my recent PhD into diversity in […]
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 […]
