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It is 2016 and if you are not an agile business, you will simply get swallowed up by your competitors before you have a chance to adapt.

Times are changing – and so are your surroundings. But are you aware of what is happening?  Business owners are becoming far more savvy, their expectations are much higher and technology is moving at a rapid pace.

So where does an agile business hide in Melbourne?

Dubbed the “Silicon Valley of the South” you don’t have to walk far in Richmond & Cremorne to identify the many warehouses now converted into funky office spaces. These are no ordinary spaces and businesses are now realising that high rise offices are not creating the right habitat for the creatures that work, live and breathe the technology these firms embrace.

These old warehouses might look a bit drab on the outside – but inside you will find co-working spaces for startups and entrepreneurs, digital agencies and now MYOB has moved it’s engineering and experience team here.  Let’s face it – this is where they belong – amongst the other equally as agile agencies, teams and businesses taking on the technology and digital world.

This week I had the pleasure of checking out the flash new digs of MYOB in Richmond and let me tell you – they are not only investing in research and development, technology advances and ensuring the end user gets the best result – but …

They are investing in their people.  And to me this is a huge thing.

Now I know that a flash fit out of an office doesn’t come cheap – so what is the return on investment? (well let’s face it – I am an accountant after all so money is only ever spent if there is a viable return).  Other than the BRW awards for being the most innovative company in Australia & the world in 2015, the return is obvious – the return is happy staff.  You know, staff that actually walk around and smile.  Staff that are not looking at their watches to see if it is home time yet.

You see, an agile business needs to be aware that its most valuable assets are its staff.  

High staff turnover means you have to spend so much time training new staff and you spend more money hiring the best talent (because the best talent you hired last time have walked out the door).  Instead, you should be spending your valuable time on things that really matter. You know, like building your business, developing your brand, building a positive culture, ensuring your customers are happy and adapting to your ever changing environment.

Being agile means you can adapt to any new situation, you can change things, you are active and you can think quickly.  In this digital and technological age, if you are not embracing an agile way of thinking, you are doomed to be eaten by your hungrier competitors.

So what can we learn from MYOB’s move to Richmond?  

• We can learn that no matter what size your business is, you should always be reviewing and analysing where you are at and if you are in the right place for your business needs.
• We can learn that your staff are the most vital asset in your business and they are worth investing in.  One day I want Healthy Business Finances to win the Australian Human Resources award – so MYOB, watch out, I may just take your title!
• We can learn that investing in the future of your business must have a positive return.
• We can learn that agility comes in all shapes and sizes.

Don’t be a turtle, be an agile leopard.