Kochie’s Business Builders is a leading TV show and website delivering small business news, resources, features and inspiration. Find out more at www.kochiesbusinessbuilders.com.au
Money
It’s an all too common scenario — you’ve issued an invoice, called to follow up payment, and sent email reminders. Cash is tight, but your customer still won’t pay.
Productivity
2020 has been one hell of a ride for Gold Coast wool manufacturer, UGG Since 1974. The family business that has been passed down through three generations, was close to the brink in January.
Money
This July sees one of the toughest starts to a new financial year in decades, with small business owners bearing the brunt of the impact. Scottish Pacific CEO Peter Langham says business owners need to take action to ensure their survival.
Money
For so long, the end of the financial year has been approached with apprehension by small businesses; a complicated, confusing and stressful reminder that finances aren’t easy, writes Mark Bartels, Chief Financial Officer, Invoice2go.
Money
The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) is advising people to act now to improve their tax time experience. There are some simple things taxpayers can do now to ensure they can lodge their tax return quickly, securely, and smoothly.
Wellbeing
As we’re slowly moving out of lockdown, many Australians will be feeling anxious about going outside, away from the safety of home, and returning to normal life.
Starting
Most women are excited to find out they are pregnant with their first child. That wasn’t the case for me, a 17-year-old who had just finished high school. I had two years of a bricklaying apprenticeship behind me with full-time work in the construction industry in my immediate future. A baby certainly wasn’t on the agenda. Maternity leave wasn’t an option, so I soon found myself jobless with a baby on the way, writes Casey Mackinley author of Girls Don’t Lay Bricks.
Productivity
The impact of the coronavirus pandemic is unprecedented, with us being forced to live and behave in certain ways. One of the biggest changes has been how we shop and serve people, writes Jaquie Scammell, coach, business mentor and best selling author of Service Habits.
Money
The pressure COVID-19 has put on small and medium businesses is staggering. In less than a month following Australia’s new trading and social distancing laws, two-thirds of the country’s SMBs have already reported a slump in revenue, with one in ten businesses grinding to a halt all together.
Productivity
With 1000s of small businesses owners and their staff working from home, staying connected with your people and your customers is more important than ever. Here are five phone features that will keep you connected and help you to remain productive when working remotely.
Money
Right now, Australia is in the grip of the global COVID-19 pandemic, and so much has changed in a short space of time that some of us are finding it hard to keep up, writes Reuven Barukh, CEO of LIVE Group.
Productivity
New South Wales residents will be allowed to have up to two adult visitors in their homes from Friday, as the state relaxes its lockdown restrictions, Premier Gladys Berejiklian announced on Tuesday morning.
Productivity
As COVID-19 continues to have a global impact on the foodservice industry, Australian hospitality owners are encouraged to take some important steps to help them ride out the storm, writes SilverChef hospitality expert Ken Burgin.
Money
Small businesses in Canberra will get a $750 rebate on their power bill, payroll tax waivers and deferments and a $622 credit on their commercial rates bill under a $137 million stimulus package announced by the ACT government.
Wellbeing
71-year-old Nanaprenuer Elaine Mergard, who founded HatAcademy.com with her husband Graham, shares her secrets to success.
Productivity
There are a lot of changes in the wind that small businesses need to know about in 2020. Susan Franks, Senior Tax Advocate at Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CA ANZ) has pulled together some key changes that you need to know about to stay on the right side of the tax man.
Money
This is an interesting concept because many business owners pay themselves in all sorts of interesting ways, and unfortunately, in many cases, this leads to:
Money
Leading credit score provider Credit Simple’s state of the nation report found women are better at managing money than men despite common misconceptions that men are savvier with their finances.
Marketing
With the most recent Facebook algorithm update, we’re taking a look at organic reach, and how you can increase your results despite the changes.
Starting
A micro-distillery in Sydney’s Artarmon is brewing up a range of non-alcoholic spirits that are set to delight local drinkers.
Productivity
I firmly live by the motto of “What doesn’t challenge you doesn’t change you,” writes Belinda Tumbers MD AMEA Snacks and 2017 Telstra Business Woman of the Year.
Marketing
With 300 million monthly users around the world, Pinterest is a visual discovery tool that helps people discover and do the things they love
Starting
When brothers Zane and Omar Sabre’s father was diagnosed with leukaemia the pair were faced with a dire situation – how could they come up with the money to pay for treatments, and ensure Zane could continue his university education?
Marketing
We need to get smarter about managing perceptions, because living in a regional area does not automatically strip someone of all education, innovation and ability, writes Bronwyn Reid, a small business owner, advocate and mentor from regional Queensland.
Marketing
It’s one thing to be on top of your bookings and be active on Facebook, but it’s another to proactively take your digital marketing to the next level. If you’re looking to ramp up your online advertising and marketing strategy, here are some tips to help make it happen.
Wellbeing
Beyond Blue hopes to support the mental health of the nation’s 2.2 million-plus small business owners with the release of a new mental health guide.
Marketing
Kochie’s Business Builders and Yellow Online are on the hunt for the nation’s regional heroes. Is your small business located in a rural or regional area? Does it innovate, impact or empower the local community or Australia at large? Then we want to hear from you!
Productivity
A roundup of all the headlines from today's top small business stories, by Kochie's Business Builders.
Marketing
Many industry professionals will give you very black and white answers about the best time to post on Facebook and turn on your ads. However, although there are some general metrics to be aware of, there is no universal answer to this question or a one-size-fits-all approach.
Technology
As the national broadband rollout continues across Australia, many businesses are preparing to make the leap to the NBN yet have little understanding of the benefits. So, what are the advantages of the NBN? Let’s unpack them.
Money
NAB is trialling new tap on phone technology to provide a cashless payment solution to its small and micro business customers.
Productivity
With almost five in ten (46 per cent) small business owners travelling domestically and 28 per cent internationally up to five times each year[1], managing travel can be a time consuming and tricky process.
Marketing
In response to the increase in searches for ‘inspirational videos’ on social platform Pinterest, the brand has introduced new feature for Creators and businesses to deliver brand stories and instructional and how-to videos.
Money
It’s the beginning of the new financial year and a raft of tax changes have arrived as of the first of the month – if you run a small business, it’s up to you to be across these changes, writes Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CA ANZ) Senior Tax Advocate, Susan Franks.
Money
Cash flow and late payments are of major concern for the nation’s tradies according to research by St George Bank. The St.George Bank Tradie Economy Report surveyed over 600 tradies across Australia in the fields of building and construction, electrical, landscape and gardening.
Money
The government’s tax cuts have passed through the Senate without amendment. From next week low-and-middle income earners with an income up to $126,000 will receive up to $1080 or $2160 for dual-income couples in annual tax cuts, with the tax relief to apply from the 2018-2019 period.
Productivity
The Be MPowered Conference is returning for a second year this August with a stellar line-up of speakers and workshops for mums in business. The conference is the brainchild of Carrie Kwan, founder of Mums & Co, a business mums networking and support platform.
Productivity
Choosing a domain name for your small business isn’t always the easiest experience. There can be pressure to get it right, especially when you know your domain should nail your brand identity and maximise your business’ chances of being found online. If only you could have it all. Well, you can – almost.
Productivity
We launched the inaugural Kochie’s Business Builders Power List in May. The list was curated by our publishing team and featured the people we truly believe are having an impact on the small business and startup space.
Money
While the end of the financial year is an opportune time to review your financial position, when it comes to cash flow management, many small business owners need to be paying more frequent attention.
Money
The financial year is coming to an end and now is the time to settle those unpaid invoices and prevent a bookkeeping headache come tax season.
Money
As the end of financial year approaches, many small business owners are considering taking advantage of the government’s $30k instant asset write-off. For many SMBs this requires access to finance.
Marketing
Make a plan, identify the resources you need and create a story for business for your customers to connect with, says Austrade CEO Dr Stephanie Fahey.
Money
Be cautious of Australian Taxation Office (ATO) impersonation scams. Remember, the ATO may use letters, email, phone calls, or SMS to contact you for a number of reasons, but it will never ask for: your Tax File Number or bank details via email or SMS.
Marketing
Remember: It wasn’t so long ago that we had to personally engage with customers to communicate, either via phone or face to face.
Productivity
No matter how much data you crunch or how deep and robust your research methodology is, at some point, you’re making an educated guess and taking a leap of faith.
Money
Leading SME lender OnDeck suggests small business owners looking to take advantage of the instant asset write off need to act quickly to secure finance.
Money
A national study has found small business owners are failing to take advantage of the instant asset write off and are missing out on potential deductions.
Marketing
No business is perfect. But you may find customers are very forgiving, so long as you demonstrate that what you're trying to do is build a better business.
Marketing
Anyone with a smartphone has the access to become Instafamous. Or so it seems. We have all seen the rise of influencers, with even companies such as Tribe (Founded by Jules Lund) sourcing influencers to promote products and services. But access doesn’t equal ability.
Marketing
We all need a boost to our business marketing every once and a while. Use these online sites to promote your solo business. And the best bit? It won't cost you a cent!
Marketing
Australia’s small businesses are discounting products too heavily according to new research by Salmat. The Salmat 2019 Marketing Report reveals while small businesses believe discounting is key to capturing customers, consumers are looking for value for money above all, rather than the cheapest offering.
Starting
Kochie’s Business Builders has just released its inaugural POWER LIST in partnership with Google Ads to shines a light on the people influencing and innovating across the startup and small business ecosystems.
Money
The decision to raise the minimum wage by Fair Work will affect over 2.2 million Australians who are currently employed under awards schemes. The minimum wage will increase to $19.49 per hour ($740.80 per week) for a full time staff member.
Productivity
While a chief financial officer (CFO) might seem like something only a big corporation can afford, more small business owners are turning to the advice of virtual CFOs to boost their profit and grow their businesses according to new research by CFO-On-Call.
Productivity
David ‘Jim’ Penman founded Jim’s Mowing (now Jim’s Group) in 1982 with a $24 investment as a side hustle, to make some money while completing his PhD in History. Today, Jim’s Group turns over $500 million annually and is one of the best-known franchises in Australia.
Marketing
When it comes to marketing your business, the platform and channels you use are integral to your success.
Marketing
Peta Schulman, founder of GoodnessMe Box reveals the strategies she used to get much larger brands to hop on board.
Productivity
At a recent business growth summit held in France, business owners discussed the current and emerging trends that they believe are affecting business and six key questions business owners need to answer to position themselves to benefit from them.
Productivity
These roles could have broad-ranging scopes across the business areas impacted by digital ethics, including compliance, risk management, product development, marketing, brand and reputation management, corporate citizenship and more.
Productivity
New research from KPMG suggests regular review of your board members is vital to a thriving business. Watch this video from Kochie's Business Builders for tips on how to get the most from this process.
Starting
You can be given all the advice in the world but just like riding a push bike the for the first time, starting a business is exciting and frightening, writes Alan Manly.
Marketing
More than just a buzz word. Good PR has the power to transform a business but it needs to be backed up by a marketing strategy as Candice Meisels explains.
Money
Kochie's Business Builders: Daniel Carr, GM Small Business NAB, gives us the lowdown on the what, when and how of applying for business finance.
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