Nearly 5 years ago I started this business. After 2 redundancies and 2 children under the age of 3, I just thought there had to be a better option for providing financial guidance with personality and flexibility. The personality came in abundance, but the flexibility not so much. So I am opting for a tree change in 2018. As a family we are moving to Ballarat, so my business will… Read more
Inventory is what makes your business grow, it’s what makes it tick. It is usually the largest asset on your balance sheet and your company’s biggest revenue-generator. Without it, you wouldn’t be able to make sales if you are in retail operations. It goes without saying that poorly managed inventory can do serious damage to your bottom line. Businesses without clear strategies for streamlining the in AND out flow of goods… Read more
Lets get the facts straight. I am a start-up business. I have been in business for nearly 5 years starting with 2 days per week, 3 days, now 5 days per week. I don’t have endless cash and I certainly don’t have spare money to pay for other business owners mistakes. Brand loyalty is earned and it can very easily vanish in an instant. You want to protect your brand,… Read more
In 6 days time I am flying to Fiji to attend a business retreat with Nurture Change. I am not travelling with hubby or friends. I know nobody going. Zilcho. I am technically an introvert (although most people think I am an extrovert). How the heck am I going to survive? “No you can’t come in my suitcase. No you can’t come and carry my bags. No you can’t go… Read more
When was the last time you really listened to your clients, your customers, your suppliers, your contractors, your employees – and actually gave them what they really wanted? Now of course everything within reason – I mean I would like a million dollars, a holiday to the Bahamas and also a house that cleans itself. “But every day, it is often the simple things people do that wins my loyalty… Read more
Each time I seem to go into a business Facebook group I see the same comment…. “My Bookkeeper/Accountant is over charging me – surely it is a simple job. Why are they so expensive? They are ripping me off.” Now, before I get my “ranty pants” on – let’s reverse this for a minute. Think about the service you offer and imagine how you would feel if people (who did… Read more
On average, small business owners spend 10 hours each week recording, organising, and processing financial transactions – everything from accounts receivable and payable, to employee payments, expense receipts and supplier invoices. That doesn’t sound like Bookkeeping Basics to me! While the process may be time-consuming (and tedious!), effective bookkeeping is the foundation of sound financial management – which in turn, is the lifeblood of your business. Feeling overwhelmed by mountains… Read more
Why should every business owner go on a “Bizcation”? Recently I answered this question from MYOB in the hope to win a spot at the Nurture Change business retreat in Fiji. 4 days of learning, networking, inspiration and working ON my business. No distractions, but building for the future. Why would I not enter? I was asked – what does a Bizcation mean to me. Here was my response: Bula… Read more
Resumes. The old school way to judge someone based on what is written on a piece of paper. And you decide based on that information if you think they should work with you. Works every time right? WRONG. Well that is not how I hire staff. Not now, not ever. A resume doesn’t tell me your attitude – and your attitude will give me a far greater insight into you than any piece of… Read more
I would love someone to help my business. MUST HAVE skills, experience, qualifications, knowledge, be a self starter and be able to work without supervision. MUST ALSO be prepared to work for under minimum wage. “God, oh please sign me up. I just can’t wait to work as your slave.” Seriously – how can that even be an ad for a job? How can a business woman advertise for someone… Read more
Should I use Xero or MYOB or Quickbooks Online or Wave or Saasu or Freshbooks (the list goes on). This is a question we hear from small business owners every single week. So what is the best accounting software for a small business? “Now call me annoying – but I can’t answer that. And anyone who does, is not giving you an accurate answer.” #TRUTHBOMB So, um, if I can’t… Read more
Contrary to popular belief – I don’t have ESP, I am not Wonder Woman, I do not have a magic wand and I don’t have super powers. I make mistakes. I am human. But I am not a failure. Recently, in the craziness that was end of financial year, BAS season, putting our house on the market and generally trying to be all things to all people, I made the… Read more
Most small business owners who use accounting software quickly master the basics. They automate processes like invoicing and payroll, track expenses and view real time financial reports to manage cash flow and make better business decisions. But what many business owners don’t take advantage of are key insights that can improve customer care and increase sales. So we are talking the nitty gritty analysis. What do those numbers actually mean… Read more
Teamwork is something that a business needs to succeed. So how is it possible to build a growing brand and business with a virtual team? How do you flip the traditional business model into a virtual business model without losing the relationships? Well – I am so glad you asked. OK – so you didn’t exactly ask – but I bet you are wondering how the heck I have built… Read more
I am a big believer that whilst I run my small business, community comes before competition. Relationships come before profit. And happiness comes before growth. Yes, I have over 100,000 competitors in the accounting & bookkeeping space in Australia alone – but I see those people as my mentors, my rocks, my shoulders to cry on, my support network to learn from and my community first and foremost. “Call me… Read more
Kind of pisses me off that I have to write this post….but I just can’t let it slide. I know I should be doing other things (like BAS lodgements or finalising my new business), but instead I sit here writing ranty blog posts because you choose to use my services, then sell the information I taught you, and pass my information off as your own to your business coaching clients.… Read more
I know, all the digital marketers, google analytics lovers and SEO guru’s are going to hate me. However my thoughts on blogging is the blog and the information shared needs to be useful, meaningful, relatable and not just the word accountant written 527 different ways just to cover yourself in SEO glory. “Timing is not everything when it comes to blog posts.” Sure, I think SEO (Search Engine Optimisation) is… Read more
I have many qualifications – not because I love studying, but because I love what I do. I am a numbers nerd through and through. I am a qualified Chartered Accountant, a Member in Practice, a member of the Institute of Public Accountants, a member of the Institute of Certified Bookkeepers, I have an accounting degree and I have worked in the accounting space since I was 20 (so for… Read more
So you run an amazing business, you are growing your brand, you are starting to get amazing customers, you have loyal staff, you are known in your industry, things are bloody fantastic – and then you go and ruin it by posting a dubious question on social media. What the heck am I talking about? How can a flippant question or comment, posted innocently in a Facebook group possibly damage… Read more
The rise of the global workforce and the choice to offshore: the debate will not go away, so it is time to be educated and assess if you should hire/outsource parts of your business offshore. If you’re wondering whether it’s worthwhile to hire overseas workers and offshore part of your business for virtual admin support or other business services, cost considerations alone can make the prospect quite attractive. Before you… Read more