If your business is facing a crisis and you’re not sure what to do next, there are three strategies you can consider. Strategy 1. Trade out of trouble Initially, focus on selling current products or services to your existing good customers, as it should be the easiest to do. They know you. Then contact the rest of your customer database with phone calls, emails, visits, social media or e-newsletters with… Read more
In a crowded marketplace, standing out can be a real challenge. One of the most powerful tools at your disposal is the testimonial—a genuine account of your customers’ positive experiences with your business. These success stories not only build trust and credibility but also can significantly boost your sales and brand reputation. If you’re a small business owner looking to harness the power of testimonials, this guide is for you.… Read more
Welcome back to our Weekly Digest. Read on for the latest updates and some ideas to help us all move forward. Markets continue to wobble The ASX followed Wall Street’s shaky lead last week, closing flat. Traders are reacting to a handful of uncertainties including surging inflation, recession fears, ongoing supply chain issues, and record low unemployment. What rising interest rates mean for those who don’t have a mortgage It’s… Read more
Welcome back to our Weekly Digest. Read on for the latest updates and some ideas to help us all move forward. Business Council suggests rebranding to entice overseas workers To help weather the storm of high inflation, supply chain issues, and a skilled worker shortfall, Business Council of Australia released a paper proposing we “rebrand” to convince foreign workers to relocate here and help the economy. Economy in trouble as… Read more
Welcome back to our Weekly Digest. Read on for the latest updates and some ideas to help us all move forward. Mortgage payment struggles lie ahead for homeowners RBA Deputy Governor Michelle Bullock estimates that 30 percent of homeowners will struggle to make mortgage payments as interest rates rise. Payment increases of 40 percent may be seen among homeowners who took advantage of record low fixed rates just five years… Read more
Welcome back to our Weekly Digest. Read on for the latest updates and some ideas to help us all move forward. 20-year comparison shows how drastically the housing market has changed At the turn of the millennium, the median age of first-time homebuyers was 24.5 years, with mortgages generally taken out on 20-year terms. Today, the median age has risen by at least ten years and 30-year terms are commonplace.… Read more
Welcome back to our Weekly Digest. Read on for the latest updates and some ideas to help us all move forward. Changes to aged care payment system Services Australia is updating the aged care payment system. Residential aged care services events won’t be able to be submitted between 14 to 22 July. Read the details here. Food tech company NotCo expanding into Australia The company produces plant-based milk, beef, and… Read more
Welcome back to our Weekly Digest. Read on for the latest updates and some ideas to help us all move forward. More Australians turning away from home ownership A new study suggests that younger Australians are choosing to invest their money in stocks over buying a home. Around 43 percent said they would choose to invest their money instead of spending it, and 38 percent of those saying they would… Read more
Welcome back to our Weekly Digest. Read on for the latest updates and some ideas to help us all move forward. WA Cancels Plan to Reopen Borders on 5 February All states and territories, except Western Australia, have reopened their internal borders despite a record surge in cases. Last Thursday, WA Premier Mark McGowan made a shock announcement that the reopening of borders, which was originally set on 5 February,… Read more
As another year winds down, it’s a good time to reflect on your recent business successes – and consider what you’d like to achieve in the coming twelve to fifteen months. These tips can help you with the process of making plans to help guide your business to greater success. Set priorities Entrepreneurs are typically highly creative and optimistic; as a result, they often have difficulty narrowing down their ideas… Read more
The start of the year is the perfect time to dust off last year’s business plan and set some new goals for the future. While some entrepreneurs love planning, others feel overwhelmed by the process. How do you decide on just a handful of goals that take priority, with so many moving parts that make up a business? These tips can help you get started brainstorming how your company can… Read more
The key performance indicators (KPIs) for one company will invariably be different from the KPIs of another firm. What both hypothetical companies share however, is the challenge of selecting which KPIs are best suited for measuring the goals and progress of their particular business model. Indeed, entrepreneurs have a vast array of reports and data sets from which to choose and select from, but that data needs to target those… Read more
There are all kinds of groups dedicated to networking. Some are highly structured with performance requirements, exclusive membership, and the payment of dues. Others are free form, come as you please and no charge. Not every group is right for every kind of business. You will find that some groups may simply not have connections in the market you are seeking to attract. You will find some groups have rules… Read more
Entrepreneurs want to have their hands on every aspect of their start-up. This is understandable, as many entrepreneurs come into their respective industries from a place of passion. Their passion will drive them to spend long nights at the office, working hard every hour of every day. Unknown to them, this kind of attitude can actually lead to some destructive outcomes. You must avoid these habits, despite the allure of… Read more
The turn of the year usually prompts most people to think about some business planning for the year ahead. Here are some tips to make the planning more productive. Get your team involved Business planning works best when it’s a team effort. Involve your key staff and your advisors, such as your accountant, your mentor (if you have one), and others who can contribute meaningfully to the planning, such as… Read more
Looking for simple ways to cut costs? These tips will help you make a noticeable difference to your bottom line. 1. Reduce staff costs Without a doubt, having someone to help deal with routine tasks can greatly improve productivity. The rub is that hired help is often too expensive for small business owners. Internships can be a real win-win: a student gets hands-on experience assisting you with marketing, accounting or… Read more
A business plan is essential for business development. But even with a solid plan there is some aspect of unpredictability. There are a multitude of variables that have to be taken into account, any of which could have great impact on the prosperity of a small business. Sales forecasting may well be the most difficult and complicated of all areas covered in a strategic business plan. To predict sales, a… Read more
There are several aspects of business that can only be learnt through actual experience. One of them is negotiating contracts. Several people fear the negotiation process because it is an intrinsically uncomfortable process. Asking for more money or making personal demands doesn’t come naturally to everyone. But with the right toolkit, you can breeze through contract negotiations. And you’d better get used to it, because you’ll have to handle a… Read more
Many entrepreneurs believe that hard work and dogged determination are all it takes to build and sustain a successful business. But when you consider the pressures of running a company, it seems wise to add effective stress-management to the list. Left unchecked, stress can erode your passion and undermine performance – not to mention, take a serious toll on your health. Research compiled by Office Vibe reveals that over 70%… Read more
Every business can benefit from dedicated financial management expertise, but very few small businesses have the means to hire someone full time—particularly in the lean early years. Unfortunately, it’s those first few years when a company is just starting up that establishing good habits with managing financial resources is so important, and, over time can even make or break a business. Hiring a virtual CFO is an affordable option for… Read more