Member Spotlight
Sarah Jenkins teaches half-day and 1-day photography courses in Sydney to beginners who have just bought their first DSLR camera as well as more in... Read more
What say you?
I’m in this business for:
66% - The long haul
3% - The shortest time possible
30% - As long as I enjoy it
Profile | Karen Morath
Karen Morath
Karen is a speaker, consultant and writer who works on the philosophy that communication empowers. She has been in the communication industry for 24 years and is continuing her search for someone who will believe she started her career when she was eight.
She started her consulting business, M Power, literally at the kitchen table as a soloist and after a stint in the role of employer she has returned to the joys that a soloist lifestyle has to offer.
M Power publishes two free monthly e-newsletters reflecting the themes of Karen's consulting and speaking work; The M Powerer - about individual and organisational effectiveness, and, Palm Trees and Margaritas - about 'empowered living' or keeping all the balls in the air.
If she had to choose between her masters degree in communication and her handbag collection, she would take the practical option (you can't put things in a certificate).
(Well, besides "communication empowers"...) When the world around you changes, maintaining your equilibrium is a threat to your future existence - Richard T. Pascale
Articles by Karen
Email overload: When email becomes the enemy
14 Aug 08Karen MorathFor years as a solo business owner and a communication consultant no less, I was a big, big advocate of email. A raving fan. I had no issues with email overload at all. Read more
Comments: 15The naked truth about your business standards
10 Jul 08Karen MorathBy virtue of flying solo I get to hide at home in unthinkable clothes and undone hair and sitting in a mess of an office. Have I let my business standards drop so far that I should fear getting my corporate kit off? Read more
Comments: 6Ever pondered pulling the pin?
05 Jun 08Karen MorathThere were many days when I was a full time solo business owner that I thought I would pull the pin, throw in the towel, get a proper job and really do something with my life. Read more
Comments: 11Are soloists just corporate misfits?
08 May 08Karen MorathSince trading in being a full time soloist to become an institutional employee, I have been reflecting on why I decided to fly solo in the first place and wondering whether soloists are just corporate misfits. Read more
Comments: 19Work styles: From solo to employed
03 Apr 08Karen MorathI have sold out! For the first time in fifteen years, I have changed work styles and have a proper job. It’s part time, but it means I am no longer just flying solo. Read more
Comments: 16Balancing work and motherhood
15 Jan 08Karen MorathRecently I wrote about my decision to resume sending Christmas cards to clients and others I value. I was shocked when the reaction to what I thought was an innocent think piece proved so divisive. Read more
Comments: 15Time for a business performance review
02 Dec 07Karen MorathDecember presents the ideal opportunity to learn and grow by doing a yearly business performace review. A time to reflect, rethink, reread and redesign before the start of a new year. Read more
Comments: 5Why you should you send Christmas cards to clients
01 Nov 07Karen MorathThis month I plan to correct one of the biggest mistakes I have made since flying solo and send Christmas cards to clients. In the past I didn’t do this, but instead donated the money I would have spent on cards and postage to a charity. Read more
Comments: 32Business book recommendations
30 Sep 07Karen MorathThe very best thing solo business owners can do to make the most of October is to get their hands on a really good book and spend the month actively reading it. So if you’re looking for a great business book recommendation read on. Read more
Comments: 11September is the time for action
02 Sep 07Karen MorathSpring is a time of new life, and that’s exactly what we can do with September. Now is the perfect time to reassess your business and do some of the things you have been putting off all year. Now is the time for action! Read more
Comments: 7How to make the most of August: The importance of gratitude
31 Jul 07Karen MorathWhen the Dalai Lama visited Australia, he delivered a strong message about the importance of gratitude. This really got me thinking about the way I live my life. I’m a soloist. Why? Read more
Comments: 13Business planning: How to make the most of July
01 Jul 07Karen MorathJuly is either the beginning of a new financial year or the middle of a calendar one. But whatever way you look at it, it is a great month to review our business planning and take stock of how our business is tracking. Read more
Comments: 2How to make the most of June: Do suppliers add value?
31 May 07Karen MorathJune is the ideal time to assess just how much value suppliers have added to our business. There is nothing like looking at the bottom line of these expenses for the year to help us decide if our business is better off. Read more
Comments: 4How to make the most of May: Time to indulge yourself
01 May 07Karen MorathMay is a great time to indulge ourselves. I don’t mean we should merely plan a sleep in, a night out or a massage. Nor do I mean we should go silly and upgrade our Windows software or buy a better desk chair. Read more
Comments: 1Balancing work and family: How to make the most of April
01 Apr 07Karen MorathApril is a great month. It’s school holidays for some, Easter holidays for others. Joy of joys. Many of us haven’t had a break since January! Now is the perfect time to focus on balancing work and family. Read more
Comments: 2How to make the most of March: Be a good time manager
01 Mar 07Karen MorathI know I won’t be able to resist the obvious pun that the year is marching by, so there it is, out of the way early. But really. March. Already? I find March is a great time to do so many things, you need to be a good time manager to fit work in! Read more
Comments: 7How to make the most of February
01 Feb 07Karen MorathFor many soloists, February is the time when things kick off in earnest. People, including me, have dusted the sand off their feet, got their kids back to school, tradespeople and factory workers have returned after the annual shutdown and we’re into it. Read more
Comments: 2How to make the most of January
02 Jan 07Karen MorathWe are all in planning mode as we begin another year flying solo. These tips will help you to truly embrace the start of a new year. Read more
Comments: 1Measures of success for your solo business
17 Dec 06Karen MorathWithout the reserved car parking space, the corner office or the large team of staff, what can we use as measures of success? How do we - and those around us - know we are successful? Read more
Comments: 6Working at home better than a 'real job'
04 Dec 06Karen MorathIt can’t hurt us home business owners to reflect on all of the reasons why working at home works for us. Here we explore some of the best bonuses of not having a real job. Read more
Comments: 2Flexible working hours: reflections on the four hour day
07 Nov 06Karen MorathTrish Weston's articles on the concept of flexible work hours and the four hour day has brought on the biggest mental shift I've had in ten years of soloism. Read more
Comments: 4Get personal for effective business communication
24 Aug 06Karen MorathHas modern technology stifled effective business communication and depersonalised our relationships with our nearest and dearest? Is a text message as meaningful as a hand-written note? I think not. Read more
Comments: 5Have a business decision making problem?
18 Jul 06Karen MorathMany soloists find it tough to be decisive. Luckily, business decision-making is a skill that can be learnt. Arming yourself with clear goals will help guide decisions and quash procrastination. Read more
Comments: 2Running a home-based business in Australia
11 May 06Karen MorathThere are two types of home-based business owners in Australia, the laissez faire homegrown and the ambitious solo professional. It seems no matter which we are, others assume our businesses are a mere folly. Read more
Comments: 18Discover the business benefits of outsourcing
27 Mar 06Karen MorathOne of the most important skills for soloists to develop is an understanding of what to undertake themselves and what to outsource to others. Read more
Comments: 7Customer service example: a tip on how NOT to do it
22 Jan 06Karen MorathSoloists who dazzle their customers from the outset are likely to live happily ever after. Unfortunately, the reverse is also true. In this customer service example I ended up on the receiving end of an IT service provider having 'one of those days.' Read more
Comments: 11Is it good business to barter?
05 Dec 05Karen MorathWhether you call it a contra deal, a business exchange or a trade, bartering amongst soloists is common practice. But is it necessarily the best way to support one another? Read more
Comments: 15Six rules to help you love your work
17 Oct 05Karen MorathIn many ways, 'Six rules to help you love your work' is a terrible title for this article as many soloists - including me – come out in a rash when they see the word ‘rules’. Read more
Comments: 3The soloist's guide to public relations
14 Aug 05Karen MorathHaving control over how you're seen by your public is one of the joys of soloism. So are you using public relations to get your message out there? Read more
Comments: 1Are you really a business entrepreneur?
07 Jul 05Karen MorathIs bigger really better? More and more soloists are challenging the traditional definition of a business entrepreneur and appreciating the benefits of keeping things small and doing it their way. Read more
Comments: 1Join the community! It’s free.
Flying Solo is Australia’s micro business community, where thousands of business owners connect, support and network. Become a member today and join in the fun!
You’ll get to:
- Learn from 1,400+ expert articles, updated daily, on topics including startup, marketing, working smarter, living smarter, technology and finance.
- Share your thoughts and experiences by posting comments on articles and getting involved in our forum discussions.
- Promote your business and find the business support, partners and resources you need through our member directory.
- Network through our Flying Solo LIVE! events and meetups where you can connect with like-minded independent business people.
Join us today for a Free Membership or find out more about Profile Membership.
Copyright © 2005-2012 Flying Solo Pty Ltd · Web design by Sharkey Media
Small Business is Australia's fastest growing sector – this business community site was created for those running a small business of one to five people. Here the solo and micro business owner will find small business forums, a small business directory, free resources, help, tips and advice on: starting a small business; working smarter when working from home; effective small business marketing; small business networking; the solo psyche; staying balanced as a small business owner; small business technology advice and small business finance tips.
