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...
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,...
Have you been wondering what are the best project management tools for small business? Working this out has been on my to-do list for a while. Before I undertook this challenge my life was organised on lists, sticky notes, in Notes, reminders, calendars and email flags. I spent way too much time double handling or checking in on things and...
As we embark on a fresh year I thought I’d share my strategy for having a balanced lifestyle in small business. As small business owners we can easily get caught up in the many facets of running our businesses and leave little time for the other important areas of our lives. Such as relationships, hobbies and fun. The pandemic reinforced...
Stop waiting for 2021 to end – set your small business goals for 2022 now! The pandemic has taught small business many lessons. Including the idea of there being no such thing as the ‘new normal’. What is normal? If you look up the definition of normal it reads: 'conforming to a standard; usual, typical, or expected'. I’m not sure successful small business...
Use our quick and easy 6 week Christmas promotion planner 2021 to increase your silly season sales. Christmas has snuck up on many small business owners with the distraction of the pandemic. Especially for those of us in Melbourne who are more recently out of lockdown. If you haven’t had a chance to organise your Christmas promotion don’t panic, but...
Lockdowns are difficult, as is maintaining business creativity in lockdown. Living in Melbourne, and experiencing more than 200 days of lockdown I understand the struggle! Juggling working from home with three kids doing remote learning, as well as the monotony and sameness. But it is pursuing creativity that has kept me sane. When I say ‘creativity’ I don’t mean artistry, but...
There are many different types of Business Awards for small business owners to enter. From local programs usually run by the business chamber to national award programs. Business Awards for small business The following are some you might want to consider: Telstra Business Women’s Awards: Perhaps the most recognised award for women (going for 25 years). It features: high profile judges; partnership...