How does “saying no” improve your business? Well, bloody hell don’t ask me as I say yes to everything and try to figure it all out later. But the only thing I figure out is that I am burnt out and exhausted. So what a bloody resounding surprise it was to listen to Elizabeth Gilbert this week in Melbourne. Now I have read her book “Big Magic” yonks ago, and loved it. So I… Read more
Christmas is always such an overwhelmingly expensive time of year. Wouldn’t it be nice to have a debt free Christmas each year? It can happen, I promise. But only if you plan well in advance. So if having zero Christmas credit card hangover is on your next years to do list, read on. So when is the right time to start planning your Christmas spending for 2020? NOW. Yep, that’s… Read more
I don’t know if it is just because it is the festive season that everyone seems to have their tinsel in a tangle. But if you are wrong, please say sorry. There is no need to be rude, abusive and pretend those around you, whether they are a service based business, retail, customer service or anything in between, is any less deserving of your time and attention. Most people think… Read more
Small business is at times, heartbreaking. You bend over backwards for clients. Always going above and beyond behind the scenes which clients don’t see. You work 24/7 including weekends to get things done on time. Perhaps you initially didn’t set clear boundaries as you want to help so bloody much. You explain the same thing what feels like 57 times – and then the client will send you yet another… Read more
When you run a small business, you’re involved in your company’s sales, accounting, marketing, and human resources, among other things. Being responsible for human resources isn’t just about hiring and firing people, although those are large parts of the role. It’s also about managing the people who work for you while they work for you. Conducting regular employee performance reviews is part of managing your workers. While performance reviews may seem… Read more
“Mentoring is a brain to pick, an ear to listen, and a push in the right direction.” — John Crosby The opportunity to learn from a business mentor “can” do more for a small business owner than any course, educational program, or degree. Being a mentee means you get the benefit of first-hand experience, without having to make all the mistakes yourself. There are, in fact, a host of reasons why… Read more
If you’re like most people you’ve probably gone for periods of time without really thinking about how you are spending your money. But what if we could help you become more “money mindful” by coloring in? “Seems crazy right. I mean how can coloring in help with money mindfulness? Well mostly it is about awareness. Awareness of when money flows in and out of your business, and why.” Nowadays we… Read more
Let’s face it, all small business owners will face some tough times over the life of their business. It will will happen at some point. Are you ready for it should be the question we are asking, not when will it happen. As much as we dream about being brilliant enough at business that we will never face slow times, there are many things beyond our control that can negatively… Read more
Toxic leaders let their poison infiltrate entire organisations, and once they get authority over others, well it is all downhill from there. But thankfully, their poisonous influence can be destroyed and you can regain a culture of positivity and trust. Bt you have to do the hard yards once that poison is already inside your business. 1. Tell The Truth Toxic leaders thrive when no one tells the truth, but… Read more
Whether you are a service based business or a product based business, word of mouth is vital for organic growth. And word of mouth (if done right) can be a great strategy to grow your business. If you have any doubt that word of mouth referrals are important, consider these statistics: According to Neilson, 92% of shoppers trust recommendations from friends and family more than traditional advertising 20% to 50%… 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
20 years ago IT servers were a case of the bigger the better. These days it is all about getting your business in the cloud. Check out the top 8 advantages for small businesses switching to cloud computing. Cloud computing is fast becoming the norm because storing information and using software hosted on the Internet has many advantages. 1. Save money (hell yeah!) Traditionally, a small business spends money licensing… Read more
While most small businesses spend a great deal of time and effort in finding the right employees, they often fail to capitalise on their newly hired talent by ignoring (or not having) an onboarding process. From long waits for workspace, equipment not being ready, non existent training to an overly negative recitation of ‘don’t do these things or you will be fired,’ employers consistently miss the opportunity to inspire… Read more
Without knowing your break-even point, you can’t make informed business decisions. Period. But it can be quite daunting finding this break even point. Will breakeven be possible, will it be reachable? To cover the costs of your business you need to sell enough goods or services to reach your break-even point. Knowing where that point is, and how long it will take you to reach it, can be fundamental to… Read more
The success of any business, large or small, depends largely on nurturing an efficient and productive workplace. While improving employee productivity should always be a priority, this process is often easier said than done. Below are some of the most effective methods of managing a productive, happy workplace while increasing output. 1. Establish Accountability Productivity depends on every employee understanding that the jobs they do come with specific responsibilities, and… Read more
From Mac computers to make-up, here are six examples of super-strong brands that have nailed their marketing. So what can small business owners like us learn from their marketing success? If you look at their histories and analyse the pivotal moments, you’ll find parallels and pick up tips on how your business can follow in their footsteps and stand on the shoulders of giants. 1. Apple’s call to arms… Read more
If I see another “I have Marie Kondo’d my wardrobe” after the recent release of Marie Kondo’s hit Netflix series I think I will lose my mind. So instead of taking that option (as it would be quite the contradictory reaction to the Marie Kondo rule of “Sparking Joy” phenomenon), if you can’t beat them, join them hey? So if you have the time to organise your activewear drawer and fold all… Read more
Most people are familiar with a job interview: a nervous candidate meets with an employer, answers a series of questions about their experience, strengths, weaknesses and education, and sometimes takes an aptitude test. Employers have used employment interviews to choose between potential candidates since, well since before I even got my first job which is a long time ago now. But there is only so much you can learn about… Read more
Following up on late, or god forbid non-paying customers, is no-one’s favourite task. Which is precisely why you need to set clear payment expectations up front – and in writing – before you work with a new clients. “The initial conversation might feel hard, or even icky, but chasing payment down the track with no proof of client acceptance, is even harder (and far more icky).” By communicating and agreeing… Read more
Thinking about turning your hobby or passion project into a paying gig? These steps will help you avoid some common mistakes as you set out to earn an income from your favourite pastime. Unless you have run a business before, it’s easy to get carried away with the idea of how perfect it will be to get paid for doing what you love. Reality check: the stress of needing to… Read more