Professional development
Most large companies provide professional development support to their staff, but for solo business owners professional development is an area that is often neglected. This section provides general information on creating a professional development plan, and also discusses topics such as how to improve your memory and which small business blogs you should read every day. Many soloists find having a business coach useful for their professional development, so this section also covers how to choose a business coach and the benefits of business coaching. Check out our step-by-step course to solo success.
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Professional development
3 simple ways to connect with your audience
All business owners right now are facing issues that we have never had to deal with and face in our lifetimes. We’ve had Covid-19, some states having to wear masks, live through different stages of lockdowns. The common thing that almost every Australian is feeling, however, is a distinct lack of connection with people.
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Professional development
How to use the featured section on your LinkedIn profile
The LinkedIn profile featured section enables you to showcase posts, LinkedIn articles, links and documents on your LinkedIn Profile. This is one of my favourite LinkedIn Profile features because of how it allows you to feature content. And while it’s true that you could previously publish LinkedIn articles and add links and photos to the About, experience and some other sections of your profiles, the featured section changes the prominence a LinkedIn article now has on your LinkedIn Profile, lets you feature posts and does a better job of showcasing external website link imagery.
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Professional development
How to identify and manage uncertainties
On 31 December 2019, the World Health Organization (WHO) learned of several cases of severe pneumonia in the Chinese city of Wuhan. This strain of coronavirus has since spread through China and into other countries. WHO later named COVID-19.
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Professional development
5 simple practices that anyone can use for better writing
Editing helps you to organise and enhance written material – to make information clear, engaging and easy to read. It’s a process to check that what you’ve intended to say is well conveyed. This is especially pertinent when you have multiple authors, complex information or challenging ideas.
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Professional development
The top 12 marketing hacks to promote your cafe locally
Over the last few months, I’ve spent a lot of time talking to small business owners so I could understand their biggest challenges better. Interestingly, one of the top problems listed by cafe owners, was attracting more customers. Specifically, local ones. You know what was the most common thing cafe owners had to say?
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Professional development
How to start winning government business
There’s a lot to be said for strength in numbers - especially when small businesses face off against big when trying to win potentially life-changing Government contracts. Don’t make the same mistake I did.
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FROM THE FORUMS
Delegate, delegate, delegate. How true is it though?
Hi everyone, I have started a new business 3 weeks ago. It's a cafe and I am very happy about how it is going. Now, I am stuck in the kitchen and I feel like I…
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Professional development
How to work in your flow
Working in your 'zone' or 'flow' means you're doing your best work. Without having distractions buzzing and interrupting we perform better and work more efficiently. Making small changes can add up to huge compounding results. If you are continuously losing a couple of minutes here and there, it might add up to an entire work day a month - or worse!
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Professional development
A creative collaboration turned Into a business success story
A creative collaboration between a cabinetmaker Anthony Woodford and an interior designer Polina Radchenko was born out of a site visit to Anthony’s home in March 2020. Having seen Anthony’s beautifully crafted products, Polina realised the potential value to be added to Anthony’s work whilst making his home emotive and inspiring. The design concept was built around the beauty of natural timber, in its pure and raw form. Timber’s unique quality and its ability to compliment any interior scheme, from paired-back scandi to rustic wood cabin, helped create versatility within Anthony’s home and truly showcase the diversity of his work.
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Professional development
5 ways to supercharge your marketing post lockdown
One thing everyone is aware of, is that the world has changed. It has changed economically and socially. In different countries and regions, we are starting to emerge from our bubbles to a different normality. Most people are also aware that in the last big economic downturn, the GFC, those who invested in their brand and marketing activities came out of it stronger than their competitors.
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Professional development
The big opportunity for regional Australia in a post-coronavirus world
“I had 25 phone calls in the first week of COVID with people asking ‘how do I take my business online?’ It was the biggest influx I had ever seen in my business.” That's a quote from Tori Kopke, the founder of 20 20 Marketing Solutions, a business she runs from Cunderdin, a remote corner of the West Australian wheatbelt. She's an expert when it comes to working remotely and juggling lots of balls.
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Professional development
How service is the key to lure back customers after COVID-19
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.
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Professional development
Meet the mothers of invention
According to IP Australia, the number of women inventors in Australia grew tenfold over the past thirty years. Many of these patent holders are entrepreneurial mothers looking to solve problems after the birth of a child. These inventions are transforming the way we live, work and interact with the world. May is the month when we celebrate mums, and I would like to share with you the stories of some great Australian mothers who are enjoying global success as inventors.
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FROM THE FORUMS
2016. I'll Show Your Mine If You Show Me Yours
2016 has been a year to remember for me. My cleaning business has more than doubled through the year so pretty soon we won't be able to call ourselves the little…
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Professional development
6 top tips for looking great on Zoom
Being a personal stylist, I get how important first impressions are! According to a Harvard study of communication it only takes a few seconds to make a first impression on another human being. We really want that first impression to be a positive and meaningful connection. Because this will ultimately generate more sales for our biz. So let’s get straight into it!
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Professional development
FREE LEGAL GUIDE: to help you navigate your requirements with COVID-19 situations
Our latest guide answers 20 of the most frequently asked legal questions about the impact of the Coronavirus on Australians and Australian businesses.
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Professional development
5 phone features that help you run your business from home
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.
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Professional development
How to beat exhaustion during CV-19
Those lucky enough to still have work are extremely grateful, but are telling me they feel more drained from this new "work from home" environment than ever before! Why is that? Isn't home where we love to be? Well, not everyone.
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Professional development
Coronavirus update: NSW restrictions eased, Bondi opens, Victoria waits, Treasury worries about economic shock, New Zealand relaxes
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.
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Professional development
Everything you wanted to know about using Zoom but were too afraid to ask
When your 6 year-old is more adept at Zoom than you, it's time to #upskill. And so we bring you the definitive guide to understanding Zoom. It was written by Zoom and shared by Zoom (with thanks to Flying Solo member Karen Hollenbach for bringing it to our attention). Especially ideal for anyone who has moved their consulting or training online.
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Professional development
How hospitality businesses can adapt during COVID-19 to ride out the crisis
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.
