#Strategy
Growing a business in lockdown: here’s how we did it
International expansion – into China and the UK – had been on the agenda for a while. After COVID hit, our directors took the brave decision to press ahead anyway…
6 ways to prevent the internet from collecting your information
How to protect your information.
The current threat landscape for SMBs
Why are businesses failing to invest time and budget into protecting themselves?
How to attract customers when your business isn’t exciting
How to make your business exciting all the time.
Let’s Talk: Exit Strategy
What is the best way to exit a business?
You don’t need to know dark art to run efficient, productive business meetings
We’ve all been there. A meeting is scheduled, most people arrive on time, and then nothing happens for ten minutes. Well, to be precise, quite a bit happens, or doesn’t happen, as the case may be. Usually those first ten minutes are lost because the team are trying to find a free meeting space to […]
How to successfully work with your family
Starting a business with my wife and sister-in-law has been one of the best decisions I have ever made. Contrary to popular belief, working alongside your loved ones can in fact be a very beneficial experience that nurtures both your personal and professional relationships, while also providing the opportunity to grow your business. Aside from […]
Four pricing mistakes you need to avoid
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 […]
How to Sell to Chinese Consumers: three tips
Last year, one of my colleagues built two semi-detached houses, wanting to sell one. His question to me was: How do I sell it to a Chinese buyer? There’s an implied understanding in that question that Chinese buyers will pay a premium to acquire a property. Besides possible higher premiums, the other reason to target […]
Brand strategist Jonathan Price discusses his company’s role in ‘refreshing’ Kathmandu
When Kathmandu announced its net profit had increased 64% in FY16, group marketing manager John Sette cited a comprehensive brand refresh as one of the factors that had contributed to an improvement in the company’s fortunes. He also praised the efforts of Melbourne brand and design studio SouthSouthWest, which had assisted in rebranding the travel […]
Five signs your staff are becoming complacent
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 […]
How to plan your SME’s 2017-18 travel budget
As the financial year draws to a close and next year’s budgets are debated, there are plenty of ducks to get in a row before July 1 hits. While travel spend may not be front of mind, as CFOs we need to think differently (and strategically) about maximising time on the road and the costs […]
How “living in the present” can help you to plan for the future success of your business
By the time you have read the title of this article there is a 50/50 chance that you have got something else on your mind as well. In 2010, Harvard psychologists carried out a study that tracked people’s activities, their thoughts and their feelings at random intervals. They found that just under 50% of the […]
Don’t let new year goals destabilise growth
A new year inevitably leads to new business goals but what many SME owners don’t realise is that these goals could trigger compulsive behaviours and actually stunt a company’s growth. There are only two types of goals business owners make – objective and subjective – the latter will negatively impact profits and workplace culture. Subjective […]
Saying ‘no’ can help your business thrive
Saying ‘no’ doesn’t come naturally to many, particularly when you have your own business. It’s often tempting to say ‘yes’ to every opportunity that comes your way, in an attempt to drive growth. But knowing when and what to say ‘no’ to, and how to be tactful about it, can actually make you a better […]
To make sense of – and benefit from – large volumes of data, SMBs need the right talent
Big data is no longer the sole domain of large enterprises – small-to-medium businesses (SMBs) that leverage data effectively can gain significant competitive advantages. Almost all businesses now collect data to some extent. However, many businesses are still overwhelmed by the sheer volume of data available to them and they wonder how to make sense of […]
Three avoidable causes of start-up burnout
Most business owners start their business with a dream. They envision calling the shots (rather than being told what to do), remuneration in line with their efforts (rather than receiving a capped salary from an ungrateful boss) and working when they want (not when they have to). In short: more freedom, more money, more time. Sounds idyllic, right? Then […]
Deliveroo’s Perth expansion has opened up doors in other states, says country manager
By expanding its on-demand food delivery service into Perth, Deliveroo has created new opportunities for growth in the other Australian capitals where it operates, according to country manager, Levi Aron. Founded in 2013 by William Shu and Greg Orlowski, the London-based company hit it’s 100th city milestone, last Tuesday, when it launched in Perth. Deliveroo’s […]
How Facebook topic data is transforming the marketing strategies of businesses
In March 2015, Facebook introduced ‘topic data’, a useful tool for businesses when it comes to understanding what matters most to their audiences. Topic data is a helpful addition to any marketing strategy, and a powerful ally when utilised correctly. So what is topic data, why is it important, and how can it be effectively […]
Trust is at the heart of effective leadership – and the ability to empathise inspires trust
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 […]
Why you need to play a bigger game in business
In the modern business world, change happens so quickly that if you haven’t got your eyes on the game, you can be quickly thrown out of it. As a business owner, you need to evolve and shift with the times and trends, or risk getting left behind. So if you want to play a bigger […]
Regret avoidance: is it costing you business?
Risk is an unavoidable part of business, regardless of whether you’re a startup founder or operate a successful established business. As an owner, it’s likely your job involves making risky investment decisions. To invest or not invest? That’s what it boils down to. Business is mostly conducted with the mind, rather than the heart, but […]
It’s who you know as much as what you know
If you learn one thing as you work your way through your career, it’s that ‘who you know’ is as important as ‘what you know’. Who you know can help you become front of mind with mentors, friends, clients, suppliers and new ideas and opportunities. Expanding your spheres of influence by deepening and widening your contact […]
Goal-setting for the new financial year
With 30 June in the rear-view mirror, business owners should the take opportunity this month to re-calibrate and set some goals for the new financial year. Goal-setting can help you stay focussed on what really matters for the business, while preventing you from getting sidetracked and enabling you to achieve success. Find your inspiration It’s always […]