Four easy ways to make your business environmentally friendly

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

Help, I think my accountant / bookkeeper is charging me too much?

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

Three Reasons to Focus on Fantastic Customer Service

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

What to pack for a two day conference

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

Killer resume blunders that could kill your chances of getting a new job

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

Is it possible to get the work life balance right?

I am going to be the first to admit, as a small business owner and working parent, it is bloody hard to get the work life balance right. At times I think it is as elusive as the magical unicorn. We all know it is important to run your business effectively and still have a life outside the office, but how? How do you manage it all so that you…  Read more

Is a business mentor worthwhile – or is it like trying to find a needle in a haystack?

“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

Avoid These Costly Accounting Mistakes

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

Don’t let the fear of public speaking break you

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

Toxic leadership is…..well toxic: what to avoid

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

How to encourage word of mouth

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

The True Value of Networking

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

Are you ready for Single Touch Payroll? Single touch WHAT??

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

Finding money within your business

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

What insights can you get from your Profit and Loss report?

Most small business people would agree that their Profit and Loss report is among the easier – if not the easiest – financial document to understand.  I mean we all want to make a profit, but if we don’t the report can still be useful. It’s typically presented in three parts. The top half of the statement reveals the various income streams of the business for the period covered, such…  Read more

Can a Virtual Assistant Help Your Business?

As a small business owner, you likely want to spend as much time as possible on the tasks that generate sales. Unfortunately, there are many other takss that require your time but aren’t necessarily worth your energy.  Maybe a virtual assistant can help. Faced with those tasks, many small business owners either spend their valuable time and energy on actions they hate or put them off until the last minute…  Read more

Does “mindfulness” have a place in business?

We know we should be implementing mindfulness in our business, but what are you doing about it? Google offers employees a course on mindfulness meditation, and Lululemon, a company that keeps a Director of Mindfulness on staff. Mindfulness, as American scientist Jon Kabat-Zinn defines it, is simply “paying attention in a sustained and particular way – on purpose, in the present moment and non-judgmentally.” Research has shown that practicing mindful…  Read more

Identify your break-even point

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

6 Ways to Improve Your Workplace Productivity

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

Three Ways to Move Beyond a Job Interview

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

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