On the 10th week of Christmas my business coach gave to me … a 10 week business Christmas action plan! Christmas for a small business can be either a crazily busy time if you are a retailer or wholesaler, or it could be a quieter time if you are a freelancer. Either way you need to plan your time now and...
I often say that competition is good for your small business. When a competitor joins your market it can grow the market and it forces you to look at your own small business and review your products, marketing, prices and unique selling proposition (USP). Competition can help your small business by ensuring you remain innovative, creative and customer focused. Market expansion When a...
If you want long-term success you need to differentiate your small business brand. Following trends and copying successful competitors seems to be a popular business and brand strategy, but it is a flawed one. There is much more to be gained by being ‘yourself’ and devising a business and brand that is unique. Here I outline the key reasons to...
Have you written your small business owner job description? As a small business owner, you need to write a job description especially as your business grows. We know when you start out in business you need to wear lots of hats working in your business. But in order to make time to work on your business you need to prioritise...
As a business owner, you cannot underestimate the importance of having a business circle. By that I mean an intimate group of small business owners in the same situation and on the same journey who you regularly connect with. This business inner circle might also be called a brains trust, accountability group or small business club. Whatever the label, being...
It’s that time of year for small business EOFY preparation and grants related to COVID. Getting your business finances in order for the end of the financial year includes making sure you get the COVID support you are entitled to. As well as spending vouchers as a business and a household. It's important to ensure you reap the benefits of...
Are you asking yourself 'when should I increase my prices?’ As a small business it is an important decision for you to make right now. For some months, there have been reports of higher living costs for families, such as fuel, groceries, and general living expenses. As reported last week, inflation reached 5%. All of our costs have gone up as...
Using your vote as a small business owner in the Federal Election is an important decision, and may not be an easy decision! Like most elections, small business is being talked about by each of the parties as ‘the backbone of the economy’. Yet their deeds so often fall short of the rhetoric. Our representative bodies The existing representative and advocacy bodies...
Determining and articulating your small business vision and values is an important part of your business planning. Your vision and values communicate why you are in business and how you do business. Together they play an important role in directing your branding strategy, marketing activities and operations. This article looks at vision and mission statements as well as business values. There...
What to outsource first as a small business, as your business grows or changes, can be a difficult question to answer. As your small business grows there are a number of issues you will need to consider. Planning for growth and change is ideal, but quite often decisions have to be made when opportunities present themselves. Decisions might include: staffing,...