Leader

Unclaimed money

There's a frightening amount of money unclaimed and awaiting collection, about $458 million at last count. Are you one of the 500,000 Australians who’s owed something? Find out here.  

How to write a mission statement

This video by Dan Heath over at Fast Company shows you exactly how the mission statement of a small business goes from tasty to terrible in one brainstorming session.




Just how much are meetings costing you?

This basic, but very effective tool easily gives you the answer. Simply tell it how many people are in attendance, their daily rate and the clock starts ticking. Very, very scary! 

Any procrastinating writers here?

Thought so. This little site is a corker. Select how many words you're trying to write, your deadline and punishment mode and you'll get some pretty sharp reminders if you start to slack off.  



Need a financial health check?

Superannuation advice, budget planners and tips for saving are all on offer at the Understanding Money website. This Government operated site provides real back to basics information on how to, err, understand money. 

Font of all knowledge

Not sure what your default font should be? This site is sure to help. Simply paste in some text, choose from hundreds of different fonts and take your pick! 


Feeling demotivated?

The motivation industry has had its day in the sun. How's this for a contradictory view? Despair.com's demotivators claim to 'increase success by lowering expectations.'

Office pod

We want one. Well half a dozen, actually. These office pods have got to be the coolest little workspaces we’ve seen. They look so yummy in the garden.

18 smokin' hot business cards

If you’re just starting up or looking to redesign your business cards, here is a wealth of inspiration from our friends at Freelance Switch.

Wordle on the street

This cool free tool at www.Wordle.net generates funky looking word clouds based on your website or selected text. You can even try different colour schemes and layouts.

Hot or cold?

Stay up to date with the climate debate on this site. Great for those pro action and sceptics, it lists calls to action and dissenting voices from around the world.

Are you free?

If you struggle getting small groups of people together for a meeting, this little gizmo may help. It certainly saves on the email tennis.

Get help from the crowd

The Flying Solo forums are where you can talk and network freely. If you're looking for help, seeking a referral, or just itching to share some news or knowledge, there's a mob of supporters here.

Someone trying to empty your pockets?

SCAMwatch will help you recognise, report and protect yourself from scams that target you or your small business.

Want to get your articles out there?

ArticlePR features a free list of article submission sites or article banks, to which you can submit your articles in order for them to be distributed far and wide.

Keep it simple, silly

More often than not, a soloist’s life is about multi tasking and coping with complexity. If this sounds like you, our friends at Freelance Switch have some worthwhile tips: 10 Ways to Simplify Your Freelance Life.

Calling all Flying Solo fans!

If you're an active networker or involved in any small business groups, we'd love you to get involved in our snappy little promotional program. Find out more.  

Who's following you?

Twitter fans may like Twittersheep, which tells you which kinds of folk are following you. Give it a go! 

When it all gets too much

When it all gets too much. A big thanks to web developer, Simon for this little gem. Apparently it’s where he heads when clients drive him nuts.

Save (on) your energy

Make It Cheaper provides a free service that helps you ditch and switch energy providers. There’s a handy blog with money saving tips, too.

Have you read our manifesto?

If you've yet to read Flying Solo the book, have a read of the Soloist's Manifesto to get a feel for what it's about. Alternatively, browse some reader reviews.

Anatomy of Australia’s micro business owner

Flying Solo’s Understanding Micro Business, 2010-2011 – Australia’s largest micro business survey takes the pulse of this critical business sector. Download the results now.

 

Get projects over the line

If you admire 'The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People' (and who wouldn't?) and recognise you need some assistance to get over the finish line, this online goal tracker may well appeal.

Text for dummies

Ever wondered where to find that dummy text used by designers? The answer is here. Given it's a practice that's been around since the 1500s, this may not be the original source!

 

Impress your TED friends

There's no doubt that TED is a wonderful resource and we love it, but FORA is pretty awesome too. Enjoy a short movie with your morning tea.

Please help us spread the word!

If you enjoy your time on Flying Solo, you may like to tell others. Here are a number of ways you can do just that. The larger we get, the greater the combined wisdom. Thanks!

What say you?

My days are…
0% - Planned to the minute
78% - Loosely structured
21% - A moveable feast
My days are…
 

What's new

Plastiki in action

HP drives sustainability, energy efficiency and rewards reuse and recycling

08 Sep 10 | Advertorial

For decades, HP has been an environmental leader, driving sustainability through its HP Eco Solutions program, maximising energy efficiency through recycling its products and components, and supporting environmental organisations Adventure Ecology. Read more

Explore

FINAL boarding call: Only 42 tickets left…

03 Sep 10 | Advertorial

Flying Solo LIVE! takes off next Wednesday, and with just 42 tickets left, we’d hate you to miss out. Here are seven reasons to get on board, plus our ‘Inspiration Guarantee’. Read more

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Are your dreams big enough?

08 Sep 10 | Zoe Routh

“Have you emailed Roger Federer about being his success coach yet?” my husband asked as we watched the Fed Express waiver at Wimbledon. Read more

Comments: 2

Back to basics

07 Sep 10 | Jayne Tancred

Have you ever recorded just how much of your day’s work is billable and how much is non-billable? I did, and the results were scary. Read more

Comments: 8

Encouraging website visitors to contact you

06 Sep 10 | David Lawrence

Understanding the role your website plays in your business can help convert visitors into leads and sales, just by highlighting contact details appropriately. Read more

Comments: 11
Pete Williams

Podcast: Why marketing should be at the heart of your business

04 Sep 10 | Tim Reid and Luke Moulton

In this show, 21 year old Young Entrepreneur of the Year Pete Williams explains how a great marketing strategy underpins his success. Read more

Comments: 7

Startup

Are your dreams big enough?

08 Sep 10 | Zoe Routh

“Have you emailed Roger Federer about being his success coach yet?” my husband asked as we watched the Fed Express waiver at Wimbledon. Read more

Comments: 2

Four steps to regaining self-belief

03 Sep 10 | Deb Pilgrim

Ever excitedly shared your dreams and goals with friends, colleagues or loved ones, only to find your self-confidence rocked when they don’t respond with enthusiasm? Read more

Comments: 9

Importing from China - where to start?

20 Aug 10 | Matthew Edwards

Importing from China could save you thousands of dollars, but can also be daunting and risky. Here’s what you need to know to get started. Read more

Comments: 6

Work smarter

Back to basics

07 Sep 10 | Jayne Tancred

Have you ever recorded just how much of your day’s work is billable and how much is non-billable? I did, and the results were scary. Read more

Comments: 8

FINAL boarding call: Only 42 tickets left…

03 Sep 10 | Advertorial

Flying Solo LIVE! takes off next Wednesday, and with just 42 tickets left, we’d hate you to miss out. Here are seven reasons to get on board, plus our ‘Inspiration Guarantee’. Read more

Get in on the fun

You will not want to miss this

02 Sep 10

When we staged our first Flying Solo LIVE! in 2008, we were aiming for 100 delegates. Boy, did we get that wrong! 225 of you turned up and we had to restrain ad man Peter from scalping tickets in the car park. Read more

The price of success?

28 Aug 10 | Peter Fehon

Have you thought about what business success has cost you lately? If you don’t consider yourself successful just yet, what would you be prepared to pay for your dreams? Read more

Comments: 4

Technology

Plastiki in action

HP drives sustainability, energy efficiency and rewards reuse and recycling

08 Sep 10 | Advertorial

For decades, HP has been an environmental leader, driving sustainability through its HP Eco Solutions program, maximising energy efficiency through recycling its products and components, and supporting environmental organisations Adventure Ecology. Read more

Encouraging website visitors to contact you

06 Sep 10 | David Lawrence

Understanding the role your website plays in your business can help convert visitors into leads and sales, just by highlighting contact details appropriately. Read more

Comments: 11

Buying a website

11 Aug 10 | Tristan Boyd

Instead of hiring a website design company to build a website for you, what if you could find an existing site that met your needs? Read more

Comments: 3