For some of you, you may well be seeking to have a career, more than a job.  Often embarking on a career can be a long-term plan and even take years to achieve.  If you’re thinking career is your priority for you, keep reading.   Set your goals Before you get started on career advancement, you need to make a few decisions.  Probably the biggest decision is whether you’re committed to growing a career.  There are some sacrifices – are you prepared for them? Before a decision is made, you need to do some research.  Consider what you’re thinking of doing.  Will ..read more

Your success is defined by the company you keep.  It is true not only for life but running a business also.  It does not matter if you are new or old in the business; the business alliances can be of great strength, provided you have chosen them well.   To guide you to have the best of business alliances, I have summarised a few important points to keep in mind.   1.  To have an alliance in the complementary business is good, but ensure that they also share the same values, ethics and approach to business.  It will ensure that you shall be able to understand each ..read more

There are so many terms for what is often quite similar to a business coach.  It is easy to wonder what is what?  There are also other terms I’ve seen being used, like ‘Business Strategist’ or ‘Business Supporter’.  However, there are differences to some of these terms and remember if you’re engaging someone, ask exactly what they are and what they do and how they could help you.  It may not be what you assume.   Business Coach   Business coaches are usually seasoned people who help businesses.  They can work with you online, Face to Face or over Skype or Zoo ..read more

In both business and life, we regularly have to deal with difficult people.  That’s just life (and business).  Often difficult people are out of our control; their bad behaviour, bad mood or unreasonable expectations are often not things we can totally control.  However, how we respond – that we can control.   Before I start on how to manage difficult people, I do want to make mention that there are a few things we can do (particularly in business) to avoid these situations, namely: Communicate clearly what you offer as a business, what clients can expect (or not) and how ..read more

It is a common misconception that businesses fail just because “it is inevitable” or because of “bad luck” or “it’s just the current economy”.  We have heard of news about certain companies running out of money because competitors emerged and attained their customers, leaving them with no sales and no income.  In fact, and this is true in the case for most failed companies, – it is not your competitors’ fault!  Because you are the one who controls your company, It is you who establishes your strategy and is in charge of the reins of your business.  It is you who will be thi ..read more

Making effective decisions is a valuable skill that every business owner or manager should improve.  The decisions you make can have a significant impact on the success of your business.  It’s important to approach them with careful consideration and a clear strategy.  In this blog, I’m going to share my decades of business coaching experience to give you some great tips for effective decision-making in business that will help you improve your decision-making skills and improve your business and help you make better choices.   Remember not all decisions are necessarily prob ..read more

Starting a trade/tradie business is an exciting venture, but growing it can be a challenge.  As a small business owner, you might find yourself struggling to find new clients and keep up with the competition, or more likely paperwork and quoting is becoming a real challenge.  However, with the right strategy and approach, you can successfully grow your Aussie trade business.   As an expert business coach, I’m going to share some practical tips which I’ve learnt over many decades of helping tradies.   1. Build a Strong Online Presence Professional websites are not just for p ..read more

Most business owners have a priority of earning profit from the business.  It’s natural and expected, not unless you’re a charity, you are often in business to make a dollar.  Whether or not how much the business earns may not be important in the beginning because any amount is fine as long as it is profit.  However, in the long run, it is important that the business owner is on top of the profits, as well as the capital spent on the inventory and other expenses to improve the business.  To understand your position, your business coach, accountant and bookkeeper are all val ..read more

When it comes to running a successful business, embracing technology is no longer an option; it is really a necessity.  In today’s fast-paced world, technology has become an integral part of every business.  Whether you are running a small café, a retail store, or a consulting firm, incorporating the right technology into your business operations can give you a significant competitive edge and help you to work more effectively.  Here are some examples of technology that Australian small businesses can use to enhance their productivity and profitability and then further down, why ..read more

I know myself, and from life and business coaching that we all have those days when we feel a little down, blue, overwhelmed, ‘meh’ or flat.  That’s natural.  You can’t always expect to feel fabulous every single hour or every single day.  However, we don’t want to always feel down or flat all the time either.  There are lots of little tips and tricks which will lift your spirits (without the need for medication) and which are quite simple.  Now, having said that, if your feeling of ‘blue’ is stronger, serious and ongoing, please talk to your GP or a counsellor.  ..read more