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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?
Become a member
Join Flying Solo and start promoting your business in our member directory; post comments on articles and dive into the lively forum discussions. It's quick, free and easy. Join the community now!
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: 18Work 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: 2Meet two types of home-based business
11 May 06Karen MorathThere are two types of home-based business owners, 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: 17Discover 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: 6Customer 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.
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