Starting a business without a plan is like setting sail without a compass. While you might eventually reach your destination, the journey will likely be longer and more challenging. A well-constructed business plan is essential for guiding your business towards success.  Here’s why: It Clarifies Your Vision A business plan helps you articulate the vision for your enterprise. It forces you to think through every aspect of your business, including what you want to achieve and how you plan to get there. This clarity is crucial not only for yourself but also for communicating your vision to p ..read more

As a business owner, you’ll need to stay informed about your finances and your financial situation. You do this through bookkeeping. Bookkeeping is the process of recording transactions in your business. This includes any transactions, credit card charges and any other financial activity that happens within your company. How good bookkeeping helps you Bookkeeping is vital for any business. First, it helps you understand your finances. Bookkeeping gives you insights into your income and expenses, such as: How much money you’ve made How much money needs to be paid for bills or salaries  Ho ..read more

Running a small business comes with its own unique set of challenges, and dealing with toxic employees is undoubtedly one of the trickiest. A single troublesome team member can disrupt productivity, affect team morale, and ultimately harm your business’s success. Knowing how to handle such situations effectively can turn things around. Let’s look at the types of toxic actions, how to address them, and provide practical steps to manage these challenging situations. Read on to transform your workplace into a harmonious and productive environment. Understanding troublesome conduct Intentional vs ..read more

From terrorism to fire, from extreme weather or earthquakes to cyber-attacks – how would your business cope if it was affected?  Would your staff know what to do? Would you be able to keep trading? Having a contingency plan is not just a precaution; it’s a necessity. Small businesses need to be prepared for a range of scenarios. Without a solid contingency plan, your business could face significant setbacks or even closure. Why contingency planning is crucial Contingency planning is about foreseeing potential risks and creating a strategic approach to mitigate their impact. For small busi ..read more

Navigating the current economic environment can feel like an uphill battle, especially in relation to your pricing strategy. Globally, economies are experiencing an inflationary environment. In the US, for example, average prices have surged by over 20% since the start of the pandemic, significantly influencing consumer price sensitivity. With inflation becoming a part of our daily lives, your potential clients—regardless of industry—are likely to take more time to invest and make purchasing decisions. This means that now, more than ever, maintaining transparency in your pricing is crucial. Co ..read more

Xero Summer Series kicked off in Melbourne today, and to say I walked out inspired was an understatement. I feel like I have royally been kicked up the bum with some home truths that I not only needed, but it was what I had been waiting for. Now don’t get me wrong, I love a good accounting junket (I mean conference) and I love a good chit chat (I mean networking event), but I also weigh up the cost of missing out on work, constant deadline pressures, managing staff whilst away at these events, walking away from events a little disappointed and even more unmotivated than before. Thankfully my X ..read more

When it comes to your finances, it’s a good idea to check in on your progress periodically, to see if any adjustments to your budget or changes in your habits are necessary. Even if you’ve set your budget for the year, you may learn a new strategy or have a priority come up suddenly that causes you to shift your thinking. Here are ways to take stock of your finances, and ensure they’re still on track. 1. Review your budget quarterly Now that you’re a few months into the year, take the time to review whether you’ve kept your budget on track for the year. What’s worked well and what hasn’t? Are ..read more

If you’re looking to grow your business, you might consider expanding your service offerings. Adding additional services is a good way to increase your profitability, diversify your income and expand your market. But there are important things to consider before adding to your income streams. Here are 4 important things to keep in mind when you consider adding to your services. 1. Does the expansion complement your business? The best way to expand your service offerings is to add value that complements the work you’re already doing and is attractive to your current client base. While it takes ..read more

If you’re looking to grow your business, you might consider expanding your service offerings. Adding additional services is a good way to increase your profitability, diversify your income and expand your market. But there are important things to consider before adding to your income streams. Here are 4 important things to keep in mind when you consider adding to your services. 1. Does the expansion complement your business? The best way to expand your service offerings is to add value that complements the work you’re already doing and is attractive to your current client base. While it takes ..read more

In its 2020 Budget Digital Business Plan, the Australian government announced the full implementation of the Modernising Business Registers (MBR) program. The program is designed to both establish the new Australian Business Registry Services (ABRS), and enhance how businesses register and manage their information with the government. Although the ABRS rolls out progressively between 2021 and 2024, one of the immediate changes is that business directors must obtain a director identification number. Here is what you need to know. 1. Director identification number definition The director identif ..read more