Business Blogs

Investing in your people

Why upskilling your employees makes good business senseInvesting in your people is one of the most powerful tools a small business owner has to stay on top of the game. The good news is that Sutherland Shire business owners don’t have to look far for inspiration, as a range of reputable institutions offering a host of recognised courses is right on their doorstep. From TAFE to University or Community College offerings, there are many options for making your workforce smarter and your business more profitable.

How to work from anywhere

Depending on the nature of your work, one of the options increasingly seized upon today is to develop a business that moves with you. With the right business model and design, many entrepreneurs have the freedom to be totally nomadic – travelling the world working in different cities each week. In reality though, not all of us can or wants to adopt the full-on life of a nomad. Little things like face-to-face customers, children, schools, partners and family can kind of get in the way. That said, many individuals do enjoy the flexibility to work away from their home, office, shop or workshop, even for short periods. . . so let’s look at how to go about doing just that.

Getting your business ready for the Christmas period and beyond

Tips on getting your business ready for the Christmas period and beyondThe Christmas holiday period can mean different things to business owners. For some who rely on summer holiday trade, it can be a boom time where reliable staff are crucial. For others, it is the time when most clients take a break, in turn placing pressure on cashflow.Take advantage of the different opportunities this time of year offers and put in place strategies to make it successful and stress free. Now is the right time to start developing plans for your business over Christmas

Work for yourself not by yourself

While some entrepreneurs may love total isolation and the hermit life, many more prefer a mix of time alone and time around others. Fortunately, there are lots of ways to connect and I reckon that a regular reminder that we're part of a bigger universe really keeps isolation and loneliness in check. Some nice solid chunks of connection offer a top-up of warmth and comfort, which we can bring back to our own space.

Reach the people who count

Too many small businesses try to be everything to everyone and end up failing to get the attention of anyone. Would you rather be heard well by a few or ignored by many? I know my preference. "Don’t count the people you reach, reach the people who count." This quote is from advertising industry legend, David Ogilvy and could well have been written last week. It wasn’t. Surprisingly, it’s from the early 1960s. So with today’s focus on accumulating followers across a plethora of social media channels, has it become outmoded? I don’t think so and I’d like to explain why.

Doing business in the Sutherland Shire.

Why are more people choosing to set up a business in the Sutherland Shire? You would hard-pressed to find anyone who actually enjoys the peak-hour commute. While more than 50% of business owners and workers leave the Sutherland Shire each day on the commuter treadmill, an increasing number are taking advantage of new ways of working.These local entrepreneurs are basing their businesses in the Sutherland Shire, employing locally and competing on a local, national and international scale.So, why are they making this choice? To find out more, I did a quick survey of local business owners and here’s what they said:

Wellness matters when it comes to small business ownership

Let’s face it, small business ownership can be as challenging as it is rewarding. The flexibility to build your business, your way, can sometimes be coupled with long hours, self-doubt and stress. Keeping on top of your physical and mental health is key to providing clarity of thought, stamina and meaningful engagement with your family, customers and staff.

Signals our customers send us

In my travels around the place, meeting and talking to small business owners, I of course hear and witness many instances of people trying new things to attract new customers. And this is all well and good. We all want growth, right?But in our excitement to lure the new, I worry we’re ignoring the signals our existing customers are sending us. Signals that can convert to new business. Let me explain, by us taking a little walk together.

The Power of Access and Inclusion

Promoting access and inclusion is good for business, staff morale, your reputation and your finances. Valuing and embracing diversity in your business can involve providing greater access to workers with disability, tackling age prejudice and gender discrimination, encouraging cultural diversity and embedding workplace flexibility.Following are some examples of the opportunities businesses have to embrace diversity and inclusion.

Designing your ideal workstyle

One of the biggest benefits of running your own show is freedom of choice. How we live and work is entirely up to us. Yeehah! We can work ‘on purpose’ and follow a plan and structure that we’ve designed, or we can take things as they come and respond to the moods and demands of everyone else. Good luck with that second option! “If you don't design your own life plan, chances are you'll fall into someone else's plan. And guess what they have planned for you? Not much.” I tend to agree with these words from author and entrepreneur Jim Rohn. So what is it to be for you, proactive or reactive?

What could go wrong sometimes does. Here's how to be ready

While it may be somewhat uncomfortable, an essential question to ask is who or what could dramatically impact the survival of your business?Who has the gun that could shoot you down? Or less dramatically, who could pull the rug out from under you?If you’ve built a business that relies totally on Google sending you traffic, then in your case, Google has the gun. A change to their algorithm or business model and your leads might disappear. If you do all your work with one customer, that customer has the gun. If they change suppliers, where will it leave you?

When is the right time to launch your business?

When will you know it’s time to really get the party started? Good question. I can tell you there will simply never be a day when you cross the last task off your list and say, ‘Great! That’s all done, time to work for launch.’ ‘The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing.’

How to get your customers to help grow your business

In the current digital marketing environment, customer relationship management is king. But, just like successful personal relationships, customer relationships work when people are made to feel like they matter. The good news is that technology provides the right tools to assist small and medium businesses, across all sectors and industries, with a cost-effective way to nurture, engage and persuade their customers to become their greatest advocates.

Making work-from-home really work

While working from home is a dream come true for some, it can be hell on earth for others. The term ‘home office’ is exceptionally broad, meaning anything from a cramped desk at the end of the bed, to an inspiring dedicated office space.

End of financial year tasks & tips

With eight weeks to go until 30 June, now is the time to plan for that end of financial year (EOFY) deadline. Unlike the end of the calendar year, when people are looking forward to celebrations, EOFY can be a stressful time for many business owners. Here are a few ideas for you to consider and action, so you can proactively plan for the deadline now, and take the front foot for the financial year ahead.

Winning that grant

10 tips on how to go about winning that grant - Hundreds of grants are available right now for the business and not-for-profit (NFP) sectors. Choosing the right grants, reviewing relevant issues and submitting a winning application takes planning and preparation.

Seize the Power in your Data

How to Seize the Power in your Data to Propel Business Growth

Stop wearing all the hats and delegate!

One particularly tricky stage in small business is knowing when you need to get some assistance. Typically, the time you first feel the pain of doing everything is when revenue is low and your stress gauge is nudging towards ‘extreme fire danger’

The Rise of the Female Entrepreneur

As International Women’s Day 2019 approaches, there’s a feeling of excitement – almost like we’ve turned a corner and the future is bright. Sure, it’s not all sunshine and roses, but there’s something powerful in the air.

How to avoid overwhelm and stay focused

An increasing concern for many of us in small business is the feeling of overwhelm. It’s impossible to concentrate on our priorities, when our minds are swimming with constant noise and pressure. Let’s take a look at the cause and explore what we can do to bring about some change.

Make this your best year yet

So here we are at the beginning of a bright, shiny new year and with luck you are nicely fired up and ready to get cracking. Hmm. But then again, perhaps you’re not. Either way, let’s kick this around a bit and see if we can all get onto the same, positive, energetic page.

Give yourself an end of year review

As small business owners, we rarely pause and celebrate our wins, preferring instead to keep our head down and do the work. This is shoddy behaviour on our part and frankly it’s a ‘feel good’ opportunity that we’re choosing to ignore.

Simple Strategies to Coach Yourself

When you run your own small business, you’re generally only accountable to yourself for the actions you take. While this can feel liberating, it may just be holding back your growth and development.

Protection from Disruption

Naomi Simson, founder of RedBalloon and now the co-founder of the big red group, provides some valuable advice to businesses in this month's feature blog article...

Ignite the Spark

There are many great reasons to become a student host employer.

Get Big Results Using LinkedIn

Get big results for your business through your LinkedIn profile.

How Instagram Can Help Your Business Boom

Start using Instagram to boost your business.

Coworking Spaces - Open New Doors

The value of coworking spaces. Collaboration is one of its biggest assets.

Leverage Your Business Online

Top five things to consider when planning and building your online presence.

Transition to the National Broadband Network

Ensure a smooth transition for your business to the national broadband network

Sutherland Shire Business Chamber

The Sutherland Shire Business Chamber (SSBC) now offers business owners and local community members the opportunity to join and become part of this new organisation.

Easy to Do Business

The Easy to Do Business Program is a free service for local business owners that provides a dedicated business concierge who will help navigate the complexities of starting or growing a business.