#Managing A Business
Five keys to transform your business and your life
For business owners, the line between personal and business life is inevitably blurred. Managing a business is a demanding juggling act, sidelining valued relationships, resulting in frustration and a lack of control over any aspect of our lives. I’ve lived by the following five key principles to create balance in business, freeing time for family […]
5 steps to delivering on the philosophy of client first, money second
Why do you own a business and work those incredibly long days and sleepless nights? I’ll take an educated guess and say the main reason is money driven; the means to an end that is a (more than) comfortable lifestyle. For many, this includes providing the very best for their nearest and dearest. In order […]
Take your business back to basics
Whether your business is big or small, before you spend too much time thinking through all those flashy new ideas don’t forget to use this time of year to revisit the very core of your business being.
Depreciation made simple for small business
Depreciation has been made simpler for small business in the 2012-13 income year. There are three primary changes and they may impact your timing of asset purchases.
How to look big while staying small
The trick to landing unlikely new clients, improving your reach and driving new growth for your business could be as simple as appearing bigger than you are. An expert from Google has seven simple ways any small business can do this.
The Darwinian approach to business survival
“It is not the strongest species that survive, nor the most intelligent, but the ones most responsive to change.” This insight, attributed to Charles Darwin, could easily be the most important business management mantra for the decade – here’s why.
Beware the self-proclaimed expert
If someone is proclaiming they are an expert in their field, more often than not, they’re telling fibs. Here’s a look at the kind of specialists you can put your trust in, and spend your dollars on.
Why Christmas isn’t the time to slow down
For many SMBs, Christmas is the time to put the business and the marketing of the business on hiatus. But in reality, slowing down the natural momentum of the markets, simply because it’s the holiday season, is a very dangerous attitude.
How to be the best in your space
Are you focused on financial reward only or are you truly striving (as hard as this may be) to be the best in your space? Here’s how one business owner is ensuring his team of directors and employees are constantly working to achieve this.
Why ‘no worries’ isn’t the way to approach engagement
Australia really is the Lucky Country, but local businesses need to seize the benefits of the boom by supporting innovation, growing their skilled workforces, attracting investment and increasing productivity. All these goals require a workplace where employees are engaged and motivated – but, engagement doesn’t always sit well with our national persona.
When last did you spend quality time with your business?
Growing a business is a lot like raising children: it will need a lot of nurturing and care to be healthy and self-sufficient. So, when was the last time you sat down to spend some quality time making plans for your business?
9 steps to choosing the right accounting system
Remember – time is money! What’s the cost to your business if you have to spend 30 hours a month of your time on your bookkeeping? With this in mind, follow these 9 steps and you’ll be well on track to choosing the right accounting solution for your business.
3 ways to make working capital work for you
There are very few forms of capital in this market, so don’t discount the one that’s right under your nose: your own working capital. Here’s some expert advice for making the most of what’s available to you.
What eCommerce means for international opportunities
The world is flattening and borders are blurring: eCommerce has revolutionised the world of retail, opening new channels and opportunities for retailers of all sizes. Here’s what this ever-growing global marketplace could mean for your business.
How to act ethically in sales and procurement
Ethical procurement practices and choices surrounding sourcing and distribution activities can have a dramatic effect on a company’s reputation and sales revenue. Here’s some expert advice for how to manage yours more effectively, for the sake of your brand.
The consultant who couldn’t speak for a year
Loren Downing has faced more as a small business owner than most. After discovering tumours in her lungs and on her voicebox, the consultant couldn’t speak for a year. Despite this inauspicious start, Downing has created a successful consultancy for small business.
3 ways thinking creatively can help your business
Changing the way you think can help you to approach old problems in new ways and be more innovative and customer-centric than your competitors. ‘Design Thinking’ is a different way of thinking that draws on the creative and intuitive as well as the analytical and rational mind.
Procurement and its credibility in the boardroom
The movement in Australian organisations to deliver “more for less” and reduce risk is really starting to register on the radar within boardrooms.
How the virtual world can help you run a better business
Faster online access, smarter technology, flexibility, lower overheads and improved work/life balance – these are the attractions that are shifting the dynamics of business into the virtual world.
From market stall to coveted children’s label
When Alex Riggs first decided to sell clothes at a market stall, it was simply a small side venture while she was at university. She now runs Oobi Baby, one of the most coveted children’s clothing labels in the country, and is sharing some important lessons learned along the way.
Why it pays to be an informed director
Company directors have numerous rights and responsibilities and keeping abreast of these is critical. Even the slightest indiscretion can see you fall foul of the Corporations Act, the ASIC and the ATO.
3 habits of highly unsuccessful businesses
We mostly hear about what great businesses do well. But there are lessons to be learned from the traits that keep many businesses from reaching their potential.
Succession planning isn’t negotiable in partnerships
There are benefits to running your business in partnership with a friend or family member, this could mean it was established with only the bare minimum of documents. Though this may not currently present an issue, it can cause succession headaches later.
How to deliver more for less
The message of delivering more for less is hugely important in business, but despite this, sourcing and tendering are two areas that are very often neglected. Here’s how to drive more value in this vital area.