Can accountants and bookkeepers use Facebook to grow their business? You bet they can. You see – do you know where your clients, and more importantly your future clients, hang out? Social media. Facebook has on average 1.33 billion active users a day. 1.33 billion. Now sure that is a world wide number, so the stats in Australia will be less, but that is still a whole lot of people… Read more
Many complex moving parts are involved in operating a profitable business, but at its core, business success hinges on just one thing: customer relationships. So do you use a CRM (Customer Relationship Management) tool? A CRM solution helps your business nurture and improve customer relationships by maintaining centralised data on all your leads and existing clients. With access to a history of customer transactions and communications, your team can make… Read more
Ideally, you and your accountant are more than just “adviser” and “client”. With your combined skills, expertise, and shared mission to support a thriving business, you should be more like business partners. The key to achieving success in any partnership is, of course, knowledge and expertise, but more important than that is strong communication. If you can’t ask your accountant the questions you need answers to, are they really going… Read more
These days, there’s an increasing focus on reducing our environmental impact. Many businesses offer recycling programs and even have composting, while some companies encourage car pooling, offer parking spaces for hybrid vehicles, or move their operations into environmentally friendly buildings. There are many things you can do as a business owner to make your business more environmentally friendly, but it’s important to take steps that represent permanent change rather than… Read more
Do you know how many times we hear/see this question? Oh at least 3 times a week. We get it, you need to be getting value from your accountant/bookkeeper. And what your accountant or bookkeeper charges you needs to be reasonable. However, what are you factoring in when you get your answers to that question? Skill? Service level? How many people touch your data file? The scope of work included… Read more
Small business owners know that to find a loyal customer base, they have to stand out from their competitors. One of the best, and easiest, ways to do that is to have outstanding customer service. How you treat your customers reflects your entire business. People think positively on companies that treat their customers and clients well. Unfortunately, many business owners focus their attention on their products and services, with customer… Read more
So Xerocon 2019 is just around the corner. Two days in Brisbane for the conference and a cheeky extra day at the end (to work of course). Well it is going to be 27 degrees all week so why wouldn’t I take time to enjoy the sun?. But what are my “must have” items to pack for a two day conference? I travel to about 3-4 conferences every single year,… Read more
Your resume is one of the most important documents you will ever create when job hunting, but a single mistake could send all that hard work straight to the recycle bin. Often, there are mistakes made before I even open the resume. Usually when applying for a job, you are up against a myriad of peope. Various skill sets, experience and some more willing than others to want the job. … Read more
A Canadian bank recently surveyed over 500 small business owners about what they love and hate most about owning their own business. Unsurprisingly, flexibility and feeling in control ranked first in the “love” category. Meanwhile, almost 60% said bookkeeping was hands-down their most hated task. Most business owners understand that effective financial management is key to their success. But lack of knowledge, frustration, and even avoidance can add up to… Read more
Keeping track of sales, margins, expenses, and purchases is fundamental to the overall financial health and sustainability of your business. Effective bookkeeping produces the data you need to evaluate your current practices, anticipate challenges, and set attainable future goals. But despite their proven importance, many business owners dread and avoid accounting tasks. In fact, 40% of surveyed entrepreneurs claim that bookkeeping is one the worst parts of running a business!… Read more
When you own a business, any time you speak in public you are representing your business, your brand and your values. That’s a lot of pressure, especially when you consider that most people are already nervous about speaking in front of people. There’s no magic cure for fear of public speaking (and secretly we love it – we could talk numbers all day long), but do I still get nervous… Read more
Ask anyone who has been self-employed if they have ever had a “less than ideal client”. The answer will be a big fat yes, I guarantee it. So how can you sack a client politely? Is it possible to do it with grace and dignity? Now don’t get me wrong, by and large, the vast majority of clients you get are great. They value your work, they understand your skill… Read more
There are all kinds of groups dedicated to networking. Some are highly structured with performance requirements with exclusive membership. Others are free form, come as you please and no charge. Networking can be a total mixed bag. Not every group is right for every kind of business, and trust me, I have tried so bloody many. You will find that some groups may simply not have connections in the market… Read more
Do you have under 19 employees? Then you need to be ready for Single Touch Payroll when it comes into play from 1 July 2019. Single touch what I hear you ask!! By now you may have heard the buzz around Single Touch Payroll. It’s a pretty big deal for any business that has employees. So…what do you need to know and how does it affect you? Keep reading to… Read more
Most small businesses experience cash flow problems from time to time and urgently need working capital. Many business owners immediately think of the bank or loans when they’re short of money. But there are other resources you can tap before you ask for that expensive overdraft or overdraft extension. The money you need might already be there—locked up in inventory, assets or your debtors’ book. You can often free up… Read more
Happy New Year. Well, it probably is a Happy New Year to those who are not drowning in admin. Combine that with ATO deadlines and basically my life is hell right now. Absolute hell. Now I know what you are thinking – seriously Stacey, pull yourself together. I mean how much admin can you have? You are a small business, you don’t have an office to look after and it is holidays. Surely you are… Read more
Now I don’t mean to be a Debbie Downer, and maybe it was because I chose to watch the train wreck that is MAFS (Married at First Sight) instead of the Federal Budget 2019 last night, perhaps I missed some amazing benefits and relief for those micro business owners that make up 75% of my client base. Here is my personal opinion, my views on how I think the changes… Read more
In today’s fast-paced world, everyone wants to be more productive. Fortunately, there is an ever-increasing number of tools, apps and programs available, that promise to help us achieve our goals. The challenge then becomes how to know not just which tools will live up to their promise but which tools are right for our business? And not to get sucked in to every new app or program that is released… Read more
Self confidence concept. Hands cutting the letter t of written word I can’t by sciccors. Office desk. Pink background top view. Once any big decision in business (or life) is actually made, it is almost like we want the little “business fairy” to tap us on the shoulder and say “everything is going to be ok”. Instead what we get is a million little devils reminding us of all the shit… Read more
If growth is your primary goal, then you need to be analysing how to sell more to your existing customers. Stop trying to find elusive new customers, and focus on what is already right in front of your face. Why? Well it is so much easier to sell to existing customers than to acquire new ones. According to Marketing Metrics, the probability of selling to an existing customer is 60… Read more