I’m in the midst of planning for 2011 and I know many of you will also be updating your business plans for the new year. So I thought I’d share a few insights that may help – in the form of a bit of a do’s and don’ts list. This isn’t a ‘how to’ list, it’s some key points that I wanted to highlight to get you thinking.
The arrival of spring always has an effect on business. Spring sales, a lift for real estate, a new season in fashion and a range of consumer items all contribute to a more lively and energetic economy.
Family owned businesses are more vulnerable in the current economic climate, than non-family owned businesses, according to CEO of Family Business Australia, Philippa Taylor. Family owned businesses in Australia number 2 million and Taylor expects many are going to “go to the wall” in the next few months. “Their lack of a solid business plan […]
First in a series on ‘The True Cost of Exporting’, Gavan Ord explores how to become export ready, along with the costs incurred along the way. There are potentially tens of thousands of small businesses with a product or service capable of export that are not exporting and should consider exporting. In reviewing whether your […]
James Masini, 25 year-old founder and managing director of Hippo Jobs, an online recruitment company for Gen Y, shares the first 12 months of building a business. “We’re only 12 months old but sometimes I feel I have been eating, sleeping and breathing nothing but Hippo for a decade,” says Masini. As Hippo celebrates its […]
Creating business plans are essential for any new company but most new ventures still fail despite being supported by a ‘winning’ business plan. So why does this happen and how can you avoid the pitfalls and reduce the risks associated with writing business plans? Whenever anybody has a new idea or initiative, before investment dollars […]
A business plan is to a business what a game plan is to an athlete, or a map is to a bushwalker. Business plans are essential to get you where you want to be. So how do you create a business plan that reflects a structured approach to thinking strategically about the future of the business, […]
If you don’t plan your budget, how will you know what sort of finance you need, how much and when? Dennis Mattiske looks at ways of integrating finance planning, reporting, analysis and adjustment to smooth the way from start-up to expansion. As all of our young guns can tell you, starting up a business is […]
When it comes to Penny Spencer’s plans for Spencer Travel, the sky is literally the limit. Spencer explains how with a bit of hard work, and a clear business plan, Spencer Travel became one of Australia’s few Virgin Galactic space agents. Penny Spencer’s enthusiasm for travel is clear within moments of stepping into Spencer Travel. […]
Managing information online simply made sense to Rob Phillpot and Leigh Jasper. And so they founded Aconex, an online information management and collaboration service which services projects with a combined value of AU$200 billion across 44 offices worldwide. When it comes to the beginnings of their Aconex business, Phillpot says: “We were two young guys with […]
